Smith, Paul

Paul Smith, 86, of Monticello, formerly of Oelwein, died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello. Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello, with military honors. Friends may call from 2 until 6 p.m. Sunday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, where a Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 6 p.m.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Surviving are his wife, Evelyn (Dickie); three children, Kevin (Annette) Smith, Monticello, and Paulette (Bud) Stewart and Camille (Ray) Cook, both of Granbury, Texas; three grandchildren, Britt (Mikinzie) Smith, Monticello, Jillian Smith, Westmont, Ill., and Jessica Finley, Granbury, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Austin Smith and Lilly Finley; and a sister-in-law, Cheryl Smith, Independence.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Gladys Erickson; and a brother, Gary Smith.

Paul Everett Smith was born Nov. 3, 1926, near Delaware, Iowa, the son of Ralph E. and Mabel V. Zirtzman Smith. Paul graduated from the Delhi High School with the class of 1943. Paul worked for Allen Motors in Cedar Rapids and the Milwaukee Railroad before serving in the United States Army during World War II.

Paul married Evelyn Marie Kash on June 6, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Lamont. The couple lived in Manchester and Grundy Center before moving to Oelwein in 1951. Paul was a frame and front end specialist trained in the Bear Alignment System and worked for Iowa Motor Co. in Oelwein. He retired in 1989. The couple spent their winters in Harlingen, Texas and summers attending their grandchildren's ball games. With age impairments the couple moved to Monticello to be near their son and his family in 2007.

Paul was an active member of Knights of Columbus Council 1168 in Oelwein. He was its financial secretary for many years. He also served as a district deputy before he served as state deputy from 1966 through 1968. He continued to serve as vocations director and archives historian on the state level. He transferred his membership to Monticello Council 1871 in 2007 and was active as his health would allow.

Paul started the K of C and Masons golf tournament in Oelwein with a traveling trophy. The tournament continues to this day. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and the 4th Degree. He was also a 50-year member of the American Legion.

Paul and Dickie were active as a couple camping, traveling and square and round dancing. They belonged to the Independence Merry Mixers and the Swinging Eagles in Oelwein and a club in Manchester as well. They served as president of the Iowa Square and Round Dance Association twice and the Iowa Square Dance Campers Association and were members of the Wild Rose Ramblers Camping Square Dance Club. When Paul was not busy otherwise he was in his yard, planting flowers or trees and killing weeds.

The family would like to thank everyone at Above and Beyond Home Health Care, Pennington Square, Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Above and Beyond Hospice and Dr. Weston and staff for all the kindness and care given to Paul and the family.

Published Nov. 1, 2013 in The Gazette