Gary Smith

Services in Illinois will be Friday (visitation) and Saturday (funeral)

Visitation

Monday, 2/19/2007, After 1:00 PM

Ohde Funeral Home, Manning

Funeral

Monday, 2/19/2007, 2:00 PM

Ohde Funeral Home, Manning

   Gary E., son of Ray and Lucy (Adnes) Smith, was born May 14, 1938 in Grinnell, Iowa. He grew up in Ladora where he graduated from high school. Following his graduation, Gary attended Electronic Trade School in Minneapolis for two years. In 1959 he started working for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. After thirteen years there, he moved to Manning in 1972 where he owned and operated the Coast to Coast Hardware Store.

   Gary was united in marriage with Beverly Nielsen Mitchell on December 26, 1977. They lived in Manning where he operated the hardware store until 1983. From 1984 to 1986, Gary worked at West Central Iowa Sheltered Workshop. Then in 1986 he became a flight instructor for Charles City Aeronautics. A year later he was employed as a charter pilot for Elliott Beach Craft in Moline, IL. In 1990 he started as a corporate pilot for HRB Aircraft in Davenport, a position he held for two years before working as a corporate pilot for Carver Aero Corporation until his retirement in 2006.

   Gary was active in the Cedar Rapids Barber Shoppers early in his career. While in Manning Gary was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, on the board of the Manning Hospital and Plaza and an active member of the Manning United Methodist Church. Gary was recently active in the First United Methodist Church in Port Byron, IL where his interest was the Media Projector Fund at the church.

   Gary had a number of health problems over the years. He died Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at the Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis, IL at the age of 68 years, 11 months.

   Preceding him in death are his parents and brothers Lawrence, Ray Jr., Wallace and Gerald Smith.

   Gary is survived by his wife Beverly Smith of Port Byron, IL; step-daughter Kim and husband Mitch Ford of Lafayette, GA; step-son Chris Mitchell of Williamsburg; step-grandchildren Brandi and Heather; step-great-grandchildren Jacob and Job; two brothers Kenneth Smith and wife Catherine of Blairstown and Don Smith of Anamosa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Memorials may be made to the Media Projector Fund at the First United Methodist Church in Port Byron, IL. Beverlys address is 18509 Rt. 84 N., East Moline, IL 61244.