H. Eldon Smith

Funeral services for H. Eldon Smith, 84, Lawrence, KS, will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at First Christian Church in Lawrence.  Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Boonville, MO.  He died on Friday, October 26, 2012 at his home.

He was born on September 2, 1928 in Sedalia, MO the son of George Edward and Mabel Lee (Waterfield) Smith.

He moved to Lawrence in November 1968 from Higginsville, MO.

He was employed as a meat representative for 50 years for Con-Agra Foods and recently
worked for Acosta Brokerage, the world’s largest food line company.

He was a 50 year member of Cooper County, MO Masonic Lodge, a long-time elder, greeter, and usher at First Christian Church.  He formerly worked as a Boy Scout volunteer.  He received numerous sales awards.

Eldon was married to Dorothy Jean Winebrenner on October 9, 1949 in Boonville, MO.  She preceded him in death on August 24, 1992.

Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Smith of Lawrence; two sons, Roger Smith of De Land, FL, Larry Smith, and wife, Lori of Oskaloosa, KS; four grandchildren, Kelly Smith, Samuel Smith, Cassie Smith, Jennifer Smith; three great grandchildren, David Smith, Taylor Smith, and Mason Smith; sisters-in-law, Louise Malan, Marshall, MO; Bess Smith, Huntsville, AL; brother-in-law, Orlan Schultz, Frisco, TX; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Howard P. Smith, Lester Smith, Johnie W. Smith, and Edward Smith; sisters, Martha Cochran, Thelma Kirschman, and Genevieve Schultz.

The family will greet friends Monday from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the First Christian Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
 

24 Condolences

  1. Roger Smith on October 26, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    My dad was the best dad ever. He lived a great life and truly loved God and treated everyone fairly. He and I had grown to be best friends over the years. We enjoyey small talk. It was our way of enjoying everyday life…win or lose, he loved the KC Royals and the Chiefs. He grew up loving the Missouri Tigers (which is a rarity in Jayhawk country).He believed in being happy and that I will carry with me for the rest of my days.



  2. Carolyn Reed on October 26, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Proud to call Eldon my uncle and honored to have spent a fabulous day lunching with him and cousin Nancy–wish I could be there to comfort my cousins. May his peaceful eternity be with those he loved and loss before him and in the hearts of those he leaves behind. Go with God Uncle Eldon.



  3. Roxanne Seetin on October 26, 2012 at 9:16 pm

    Our prayers are with you and your family,Nancy. May God Bless you and yours.

    Roxanne



  4. Sheri Madsen Wright on October 27, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    I’m so sorry for you loss. I have such fun memories of times with your family. May God bless and comfort all of you.



  5. Gerald D. Kendrick on October 27, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    Mr. Smith was a wonderful neighbor. I will greatly miss the many pleasant conversations I shared with him about just about everything. His deep faith and wisdom about life and family were gifts that I will always appreciate. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Smith family.



  6. Shiela (Cordle) Porter on October 27, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss…My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Nancy during this very difficult time.



  7. Jessica Halverstadt on October 28, 2012 at 9:01 am

    Although I didn’t know Eldon for very long or very well, he touched my life in a beautiful way. He had the kindest spirit and a great outlook on life, even when things got rough. So sorry for your loss! Love and light to you and yours.



  8. Francis, Janelle and Orlan Schultz on October 29, 2012 at 9:43 am

    Nancy, Roger, and Larry–
    We are sorry to hear of Uncle Eldon’s passing. We are so sorry for your loss and know what your family is going through. We always enjoyed our chats on the phone to catch up with family news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we are there with you in spirit to honor such a kind and loving man. Janelle, Francis and Orlan



  9. Barbara van Foeken on October 29, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    At a time like this it is so difficult to convey to the family words that will stop the tears, but my heart and prayers are with you. When I moved to Lawrence 6 years ago and even before on my visits, Eldon was so kind and welcoming to me. Eldon always had the brightest smile and will be greatly missed.



  10. Carmen Hocking on October 29, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Our prayers are with all of you. Mike and I both knew Eldon for many years and liked him very much. We always enjoyed talking with him. Eldon will be greatly missed.



  11. Chris and Pam Barker on October 29, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    We are saddened to hear of Eldon’s passing. He was a sweet,gentle man and we are richer for having known him. He truly represented the Lord well. Nancy,We are praying for you as well as your entire family. In Christ Love,Chris and Pam



  12. Lewis ans Nancy Lawson,and Leon Garcia on October 29, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    Eldon will be remembered for his genuine approach,his gladness to see us, his friendliness to greet us, and his joy in worshipping with us. The “happy smile” was never fake,because he was always glad to see all of us. “You can’t do it without a program,” and then, Eldon would gently hand us one…



  13. Jessica Ruffolo on October 29, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    Eldon was a truly great man. I had the honor of working with him the past 8 years. He knows everyone in the grocery business and always had a great story to tell. My prayers and condolences to the Smith family.



  14. Cory Filley on October 29, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    I had the pleasure of working with Eldon over this past year. He was a very special man that brought sunshine every where he was. Even though I only knew him a year, he will have a special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Eldon’s family and friends.



  15. Charles McPheeters on October 30, 2012 at 12:08 am

    Nancy, Roger, and Larry,
    Your father was very good friend as well as client of mine when I was I was in business. We enjoyed good converstions about mutual interests.

    I am sorry that Marsha and I are out of the country at this time and can not visit with you.

    I am happy that I was able to vist Eldon before we left town for a few weeks. But I remember he was always positive and did not complain about his declining health. A good example to those of us who face growing older.

    God Bless you



  16. Charles McPheeters on October 30, 2012 at 12:14 am

    Dear Nancy, Roger and Larry
    May you find real peace and comfort at this time knowing you father had many good friends. I enjoyed many good conversations with him about mutual interests.



  17. Julia Ingrassia on October 30, 2012 at 3:51 am

    Dearest Nancy, I am so sorry to see your father has passed away. My most sincere condolences to you, and your siblings.

    Sincerely
    Julia Ingrassia



  18. Sandy Nelson on November 6, 2012 at 8:11 am

    I am so sorry to hear this and even sorrier that it was to late to attend services. I worked with Eldon at ConAgra Foods and cannot tell you enough how he always made my day brigther. He would talk about Dorothy and the kids and you knew they were a very special family. His children and grandchilden always were a bright spot in our chats. He was a wonderful person and had a smile for everyone. And I don’t think anyone worked harder than he did. We will all miss him.



  19. Gerry Carson on November 6, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Nancy, Roger & Larry, I worked with your Dad at ConAgra and I want you to know that he was one of the true gentelmen of the Food Business. He always helped new reps learn and grow and helped the older reps sell more. He really made a difference for our company and was one of the best reps at Acosta Sales INC. even as a part-time salesman. We will all have only fond memories and hope that we can live up to the example that he set for all of us.



  20. Cathy Knight-Kotzias on November 6, 2012 at 10:04 am

    I have Eldon in my prayers. He lived such a good life. We all can hope to do the same. I am so sorry I missed the Memorial.I knew Eldon from ConAgra. Eldon was a great story teller. One story he told really touched me. He talked told about Ceno’s Grocery Store in Lexington, MO. This store was across the street from my grandparent’s place. I crossed that street many times for candy.



  21. Mike Brown on November 6, 2012 at 10:30 am

    I first met Eldon in early November 1981 during a job interview. We engaged [mostly Eldon] for nearly two hours in the end he asked for me to write my name on a piece of paper then told me i had the sloppiest hand writing known to man. He hired me that Friday 31 years later same industry. I owe my career to him

    May he rest in peace



  22. Travis Chambers on November 7, 2012 at 8:55 am

    I had the privilege to meet Eldon when I was hired on as a new rep for ASE nearly twenty years ago. I don’t think I’ve met a kinder gentleman in my career. He always had a smile, kind word, and a way to make you feel special. If you were lucky he might even tell you a story. I know he loved his family very much. We all will miss him. Rest in peace Eldon.



  23. Phil Stevens on November 7, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Eldon lit up any room he entered. He was personable and made relationships his strongest asset. He treated all people with respect and received the same back from others. One of a kind … he will be missed.



  24. Nancy Smith on August 12, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    Miss you so much, Dad. Three years ago I was doing my best to take care of you. I know I could have done better. I tried. Life is just not the same without you. Today is my birthday so I thought I would just thank you for thinking of me and then having me come into the world. Love you forever



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