Jeffery L. “Jeff” Smith, 71, of rural Cherryvale, passed away 1:30 a.m., Thursday, April 17, 2019 at his home.
Jeff was born on December 27, 1947 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Charles T. Loraine (Hamilton) Smith. He traveled with his family and lived in several different states during his childhood while his father was in the military before moving to Dennis in 1960. He attended Labette County schools and graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1966.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1967 until his honorable discharge in 1970. He was in Vietnam during most of service time. He played semi-pro football while in the service and finished two year of college at the University of Maryland and at Labette Community College.
On January 14, 1972 he was united in marriage to Terry Rinne at Parsons. She survives of the home. They had three children, Stephanie, Jennifer, and Little Jeff. Stephanie and Little Jeff went to be with the Lord on April 28, 1993 and on October 15, 1996.
Jeff loved farming and it was in his blood. In addition to farming he worked at Funk Manufacturing as a Maintenance Mechanic for 29 years. He retired in 2008.
Jeff and Terry really enjoyed vacationing together in Colorado, snow skiing, camping, and visiting their daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Paul. Jeff was always ready to help he helped so many. He was a born again Christian accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
In addition to his wife, Jeff is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Paul Lillie of Fort Collins, CO; his brother, Charles Smith, and his wife, Sherry of Cherokee; his sisters, Connie Meyers, and her husband, Dan of Marshall, TX and Laura Myers, and her husband Ernie of rural Parsons; his mother-in-law, Rose Mary Rinne of Independence; his brothers-in-law, Fred Rinne, and his wife, LaWanda of Fredonia and Tom Rinne of Sycamore; his sister-in-law, Trudy Rinne, and her husband, Bob of Lawrence; and several nieces and nephews. Jeff will be dearly missed and in our hearts forever.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Harmony Grove Cemetery near Dennis with Reverend Keith Springer officiating. Burial will follow. Military honors will be conducted by the Brown-Bishop Post. No. 704 Veterans of Foreign Wars of Parsons. Friends may call the Carson-Wall Funeral Home at their convenience where the casket will remain closed. Memorials are suggested to the Proud Animal Lovers Shelter or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and these may be left at or mailed to the Funeral home 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
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