Melvin ?Pete? Smith 93, died,
December 30, 2022 at his home in Elbing, Kansas.
He was married to Dorothy Hale Smith
and she survives of the home. They celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary surrounded by their children and grandchildren on
December 27, just days before his passing. Together they attended
Emmaus Mennonite Church in Whitewater, Kansas.
Born and raised in Arapaho, OK, Pete
joined the U.S. Army at age 18 and served 22 years, retiring as a
Chief Warrant Officer 4. He served in the Korean War in the guided
missile program. Following his military career, he owned Good News
Realty in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While living in Colorado
Springs he was active with the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship
International.
After retiring from real estate, he
bought a small farm in rural Newton and moved his family to Kansas,
where he resided for the past 41 years. He managed the Feed Store in
Brainerd for many years, found great satisfaction in operating his
cow-calf herd and was the beef leader for North Butler 4-H club.
His greatest joy was His Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ and was eager to share with others the way God
changed his life and how God could change their life if they would
put their trust in Him. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his
loving family and friends, especially going to athletic events to
cheer for his kids and grandkids.
Pete is survived by his wife Dorothy,
sons Dwight (Angie) Smith, Patrick (Jeffery) Smith, Joel (Parrish)
Smith, and Josh (Kayla) Smith. Daughters Gloria (Stephen) Dee. Teresa
Marie and Mindy (Charles) Kreml. He is also survived by 22
grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents,
son Philip Smith, and five sisters.
Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, January 4, 2022 at Emmaus Mennonite Church, rural
Whitewater, Kansas. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at
Emmaus Mennonite Church with the family receiving friends from 5 p.m.
to 7 p.m. Private family interment with military honors will be in
the Hillside Cemetery Sedgwick, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to Berean Academy
or Heartland Pregnancy Care Center and left with Petersen Funeral
Home.
