Charles E. Smith

Charles Eugene Smith, 93, son of Joseph Robert and Marie Mildred Smith was born in Cark, South Dakota on November 5, 1924. He passed away at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa on November 9, 2017.
He moved with his family to Dow City, Iowa when he was twelve, where he attended the Dow City School, graduating in 1943. Charles was drafted into the United States Navy January 2, 1943, as a radioman, serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II until 1946. He then attended Iowa State University for one year before returning home to farm with his father.
Charles was married to Jane Marilyn Buss on June 10, 1947 at the Dow City Methodist Church. They had one son, Joseph Louis and later adopted a daughter Jody Lynn. Charles and Jane were married over 53 years until her death in 2001.
His interests included league bowling, American Legion activities and selling real estate after retiring from farming in 1977. He served as commissioner of Veterans Affairs for Crawford County for 54 years.
Charles was with beloved friend Arlene Fink from 2003 until his death.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents; wife Jane; daughter Jody Lynn; brother Robert; and sister Corrine (Tim). He is survived by his son Joseph and wife, Corinne; two sisters Lois (Harlan) and Karen (Andy); one sister-in-law June; beloved friend Arlene; nephew Dan (Joan); niece Sharon; three granddaughters, Heather and friend Michael, Emily (Jeff), and Anne(Andrew); five great-grandchildren, Sarah (Tyler), Trevor, Alex, Dawson and Natalie; two great great-grandchildren, Owen and Nora; other relatives and friends.