Vernon E. Smith

December 13, 2012

Vernon E. Smith, 84, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away on Thursday, December 13th, 2012, while in the company of family members, at Cedars Health Care Center in McPherson, Kansas. Vernon was born in Ottawa, Kansas on August 29, 1928, a son of the late Frances E. (Schmitt) and Earl Samuel Smith.He graduated from Walker High School in Nevada, Missouri in 1946.Vernon was last employed as an assistant manager at True Value Hardware in McPherson, Kansas. He had also managed Gambles Stores in Kansas and traveled several states setting up new stores for both Gambles and True Value.His father worked at Santa Fe Railroad and Vernon was fascinated with trains. When he retired, he built a large model train layout. Often someone would hear about it and call to come over to run the trains. He also enjoyed woodworking and made lots of items for the grandchildren and curio shelves and magazine racks for their own home. He was a perfectionist who worked on something until it was exactly right. He welcomed neighbors who needed help fixing something or needed a certain size bolt or screw. He will be missed by his family and friends. He was the husband of Frances Louise (Higgins) Smith. On March 17, 1950, they were married at the Centropolis Assembly of God Church, Centropolis, Kansas.Vernon is survived by his wife, Frances; and children: Son, Thomas E. (Deborah) Smith, of McPherson, Kansas; Daughter, Susan K. (Michael) McVicker, of McPherson, Kansas; Son, Terry L. (Kimberly) Smith, of Galva, Kansas; and Son, Randall L. (Marla) Smith, of Moorhead, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Rosemary Clevenger.Visitation will be on Monday, December 17th, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Glidden-Ediger Chapel in McPherson, Kansas. The graveside funeral service will be at McPherson Cemetery, McPherson, Kansas, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18th, 2012 with Pastor Deborah Somerville officiating. Memorials are suggested to Harden Healthcare, formerly Hospice Care of Kansas, in McPherson, Kansas and may be sent in care of Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid Street, McPherson, KS 67460.