Richard James Smith

Richard James Smith

Richard James Smith
December 20, 1932 – October 2, 2014
What Cheer, Iowa | Age 81

Richard Smith, 81, of What Cheer, died Thursday, October 2, 2014. Richard James Smith was born on his family’s farm, west of What Cheer, on December 20, 1932, the son of Walter John Smith and Bessie Mae Strong Smith.

Richard attended the Fisher school before coming to town where he became a 1951 graduate of the What Cheer High School. At age fifteen his father died and Richard stepped up to fill his father’s shoes on the farm. While still a boy, Richard managed to keep up with his farming responsibilities while attending high school and playing football.

Richard work several years as a foreman at Kingsberry Homes and Brandywine Homes. He also worked at the University of Iowa Hospital for fifteen years, mowed the Indianapolis Cemetery for sixty-one years and worked, until just recently, at CPS in Gibson.

Richard enjoyed farming, woodworking, attending auctions, and traveling on bus tours with his wife.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mildred Catzer; a step sister, Virginia Maxwell; and a granddaughter, Olivia Van Dalen.

Richard is survived by his wife, Dorothy Smith of What Cheer; a son, Paul Smith of What Cheer; three daughters: Paulette German of New Sharon, Patricia Van Dalen of Oskaloosa, and Priscilla (& Sam) Ferree; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer.
Burial will be in the Indianapolis Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at noon on Monday with Family present from 6 to 8 pm.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.hollandcoblefuneralhomes.com.