Bernard T. Smyth

Bernard “Bernie” Thomas Smyth was born July 24, 1927, in Spalding, Nebraska, the son of Thomas and Margaret Smyth. He passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa, at the age of ninety-one.
Bernie was raised in Spalding until he was fourteen years old, when his parents moved to Omaha, Nebraska. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Omaha, Nebraska, with the Class of 1944, and then began employment with the Union Pacific Railroad. He served his country in the United States Navy as a Machinist’s Mate Third Class aboard the U.S.S. Bronx during World War II from June 8, 1945 until August 6, 1946, when he was honorably discharged. Following his return from the service, Bernie drove trucks for construction companies and then was an apprentice for bricklaying at Hawkins and Borshmans Construction Companies before starting his own construction business. He joined the bricklayers union in 1949, and was a member just short of seventy years.
On October 20, 1967, Bernie was united in marriage to Corinne “Corky” Ahart in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and they settled on a farm south of Maxwell, Nebraska, for nineteen years. In 1986, they moved to Denison, and in 1988, purchased a farm near Arion. They sold the farm and moved to Dow City in 2012.
Bernie was a member of the Kiwanis and American Legion in Maxwell and Knights of Columbus 4th degree. Hunting and fishing were his favorite pastimes which he enjoyed with Father Richard Ball. He enjoyed gardening and listening to country, 40's and 50's music.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Corky; sons: Phillip and Ronald; daughter, Catherine; brothers, Tom, Murt, James, and Cleo; sisters: Margaret and Dolores. Survived by daughters: Anita and husband, Paul; Tegan; Theresa; and Lisa; fourteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Colette, and Mary; other relatives and friends.