Our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Herman J. Smith, peacefully left us on August 11, 2019 at Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kansas.  He was born on December 7, 1921 at Fairview, Oklahoma, the son of Jonathan and Eva (Nightingale) Smith.  He lived a full life spanning 97 years.

Herman grew up and attended school in the Fairview, Oklahoma community.  At a young age he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized on June 16, 1936 by Min. George Nichols, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ Mennonite.  On October 29, 1944, he was united in marriage to our mother, Lena Schmidt, at Montezuma, Kansas by Min. Albert Unruh.  Their home was blessed with three sons and two daughters. Mom preceded him in death on October 27, 2012. They shared nearly 68 years of marriage.

As a young man, Herman worked in Civilian Public Service in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Dennison, Iowa.  Following his service days, he became a farmer for life:  planting crops, and working with cattle, hogs and sheep in the rugged sandhills of the Ingalls, Kansas community where they lived.

Our father was a volunteer, reaching out to his neighbors and community when help was needed and also lending a helping hand in out-of-state disasters through Christian Disaster Relief work.  He also spent several years serving on the building committee of the current Bethel Home in Montezuma.  He was a respected man known for his kindness and generosity.

Dad's morning devotion time and faithful church attendance left a witness of his love for God and the church.  As grandchildren, we felt our Grandpa's love in many ways and we knew there was a special place in his heart for each one of us.

Those left to cherish special memories are three sons:  Ray Smith and wife Annie, Stan Smith and wife Althea, and Keith Smith and wife Beverly, all of Ingalls, Kansas; two daughters:  Shirley Stoll and husband David, of San Antonio, Texas and Helen Koehn and husband Emery, of Sublette, Kansas; one sister: Velma, of Moundridge, Kansas; 16 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Lena; daughter-in-law, Gail Smith; four brothers, Victor, Franklin, Alden, and Wayne; and one great grandson, Cody Peaster.

Funeral service will be held at Living Hope Mennonite Church, Ingalls, Kansas on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:30 AM. Officiating will be Minister James Koehn, Minister Sam Unruh Jr. and Deacon Mark Isaac.  Burial will follow at Living Hope Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Wednesday August 14, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com .