Smith, Merwin L. 'Bud'

Merwin L. “Bud” Smith, 92, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at Heritage Care Center in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Urbana Christian Church, with the Rev. Tom Felts officiating. Interment will be at Urbana Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton, from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A memorial fund has been established.

Merwin L. Smith was born June 25, 1917, near Center Point, to Walter B. and Ophal (Rouse) Smith. Known to family and friends as “Bud,” he graduated from the Urbana High School in 1936. On March 8, 1939, he was united in marriage to Vanita Ferguson. “Bud” farmed for many years in the Brandon/Urbana area and became a Union carpenter and member of Carpenters Local 308 of Cedar Rapids. He owned and operated the Conoco Gas Station in Urbana for several years.

An active member of his congregation, he was an Elder Emeritus, past superintendent of the Sunday school, a member of the church board and a trustee at the Urbana Christian Church. Bud had been a member of the Brandon Masonic Lodge before transferring membership to the Shellsburg Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed woodworking and loved fishing and hunting. “Bud” thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Vanita of Urbana; his children, Delmar (Marcia) Smith of Center Point, Jay (Billie) Smith of Center Point and Jolinda (Jim) Andrews of Urbana; his grandchildren, Tiffiany (Eric) Gardner of Denver, Colo., Tony (Carolyn) Smith of Urbana, Jason (Angie) Smith of Cedar Rapids, Darcie Smith of Council Bluffs, Jaren (Kelly) Andrews of Urbana and Jennifer (Durk) Gerhardt of Ladson, S.C.; 12 great-grandchildren; his brother, Wayne B. (Pat) Smith of San Jose, Calif.; and his sisters, Venoa Swartzbaugh of Vinton and Donna Drum of Cedar Falls.

His parents, and sister, Neta Hansen, preceded him in death.

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