White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Claude Edward Smith, Jr., 87 years old, of Independence, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa, after a fall while working in his yard.  He was born on July 4, 1928, in Fayette,Iowa, the son of Claude Edward and Clara B. (Cordes) Smith.  He graduated from high school in Fayette, Iowa, and continued his education at Upper Iowa University where he graduated in 1952.  While a student at Upper Iowa University, he participated in both the football and basketball programs.  At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, Minnesota, and San Antonio, Texas.  Known affectionately as “Smitty” or “Junior” to his family and friends, he joined the family business, Smith & Sons Grocery Store in Fayette, after graduating from college.  He decided to change careers and became an insurance agent with Farm Bureau, first in Fayette and later in Independence, where he was the agency manager. Later he opened Smith-D & L Insurance in Independence which he owned for over 50 years.

On June 16, 1952, he and the former Lucy M. Cloninger were married in Charles City, Iowa.  She preceded him in death in 1970.  On July 10, 1972, he and the former Virginia “Ginny” Lee Carlton were married in Waterloo, Iowa.  Mr. Smith was an avid gardener, who loved the outdoors.  He fed the birds, deer, and squirrels for years outside of his garden room.  He also enjoyed various pets throughout the years, including Zip, Taffy, Snowy, Jenny, and Blackie.  He and Ginny raised Tennessee Walkers, worked in the yard, and also enjoyed many “happy hours” with friends.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ginny, 3 daughters from his first marriage, Debra (Steve) Welk of Muscatine, Iowa, Lori (Dennis) Donnelly of Independence, Iowa, and Kathleen (Kent) Mishler of Big Lake, Minnesota.  He is survived by 6 grandsons, Chad E. (Mitzi) Welk, Shawn R. (Jessica) Welk, Eric D. (Jennifer) Donnelly, Russell P. (Helen Lukes) Donnelly, Adam J. (Molly) Mishler, and Justin M. (Manuela Thresher) Mishler, and 5 great grandchildren.  A sister-in-law, Joan Nefzger Smith of Fayette, Iowa, also survives him.

In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Gordon A. Smith.

A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.