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Wayne E. Smith, 83, West Liberty
Obituaries · July 31, 2014



Wayne E. Smith, 83, of West Liberty died peacefully at his home with his wife and daughter by his side, on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty with military honors to follow. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, also at the church. Memorials may be made to Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be made to the family at hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com.

Wayne was born Dec. 7, 1930, on the Smith family farm south of West Liberty, the son of Earl and Della Kramer Smith. He graduated from West Liberty High School in 1949. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Simon on March 6, 1952, in West Liberty, Iowa. Wayne served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict.

Wayne was employed with D.E. Edwards Well Drilling in West Branch from 1956-1966. He then purchased the business and moved it to West Liberty where he owned and operated Wayne E. Smith and Son Well Drilling with his son, Joe.

Wayne was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and American Legion Post 509. He was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs. He also enjoyed bowling and keeping stats for the Driller’s Softball Team and even subbing for the team on occasion.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of West Liberty; sons: John (Jane) Smith of Ankeny, Iowa, and Joe (Tomeka Petersen) Smith of West Liberty; daughter Debbie (Gus) Garcia of West Liberty; grandchildren: Tavo (Michelle) Garcia, Josie (Justin) Gingerich, J.J. (Kelsie) Garcia, Mason Garcia, and Jackson Smith; and great-grandchildren: Ely, Sam and Mia Gingerich and Alivia and Molly Garcia; sister Ethel Burnett of West Liberty; and brothers Bob Smith and Kenneth Smith of West Liberty.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Frank and Rodney, and a sister Betty.