Gerald "Gary" Clarence Smith
August 21, 1942 — March 13, 2016
Gerald “Gary” C. Smith, 73, of Manchester, Iowa, died Sunday, March 13, 2016. Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Bohnenkamp - Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Manchester, with a Scripture Service at 2:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Manchester, with visitation one hour prior to Mass at the church. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Manchester, Iowa.
Gary is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Manchester, children, Brenda Kelchen of Manchester, Carrie (Mark) Gudenkauf of Quasqueton, Amy (Lavern) Kelchen of Edgewood, Deb (Brian) Wenger of Ryan, and Ellen Clar of Manchester; thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Janaan Kraus of Monticello, Kenny (Cathy) Smith of Hopkinton, Kay (Elmer) Heitz of Farley, Betty (Jerry) Ries of Earlville, John (Mary Ann) Smith of Ryan, Mary Ellen (Jim) Waite of Cedar Rapids, and Mark (Mary) Smith of Marion.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Maxine Zangerle and Shirley Riniker; and a brothers-in-law, Walter Kraus, Dick Riniker and Kenny Zangerle.
Gary was born August 21, 1942, in Hopkinton, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Bernadette (McElmeel) Smith. He was a graduate of Hopkinton High School. On January 21, 1967, Gary was united to Marilyn McGrane at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Manchester. Gary was employed as a milk hauler, farmer, hauled grain at Tri-Star Feed & Grain, and the Delaware County Roads Department.
Gary and Marilyn loved to dance and attended as many dances as possible. He attended auctioneering college in 1976 and called many consignment auctions in the area. Gary enjoyed traveling, with vacations and tours to many states. Gary was a hardworker, always looking out for his neighbors. He was known as the “mayor of the neighborhood”. He enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, and going for long walks, but most of all he adored his children and grandchildren.
Gary is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Manchester, children, Brenda Kelchen of Manchester, Carrie (Mark) Gudenkauf of Quasqueton, Amy (Lavern) Kelchen of Edgewood, Deb (Brian) Wenger of Ryan, and Ellen Clar of Manchester; thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Janaan Kraus of Monticello, Kenny (Cathy) Smith of Hopkinton, Kay (Elmer) Heitz of Farley, Betty (Jerry) Ries of Earlville, John (Mary Ann) Smith of Ryan, Mary Ellen (Jim) Waite of Cedar Rapids, and Mark (Mary) Smith of Marion.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Maxine Zangerle and Shirley Riniker; and a brothers-in-law, Walter Kraus, Dick Riniker and Kenny Zangerle.
Gary was born August 21, 1942, in Hopkinton, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Bernadette (McElmeel) Smith. He was a graduate of Hopkinton High School. On January 21, 1967, Gary was united to Marilyn McGrane at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Manchester. Gary was employed as a milk hauler, farmer, hauled grain at Tri-Star Feed & Grain, and the Delaware County Roads Department.
Gary and Marilyn loved to dance and attended as many dances as possible. He attended auctioneering college in 1976 and called many consignment auctions in the area. Gary enjoyed traveling, with vacations and tours to many states. Gary was a hardworker, always looking out for his neighbors. He was known as the “mayor of the neighborhood”. He enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, and going for long walks, but most of all he adored his children and grandchildren.
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