Gene Smith

Gene Smith, 90, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 10:05 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Keosauqua Health Care Center in Keosauqua, Iowa.

He was born on March 14, 1932, in Bible Grove, Missouri. His mother was Lewis Ione Miller – Smith, who raised him and his four siblings. His father was Arthur H. Smith. On October 7, 1961, he married Mary Jo Hanshew in Farmington. Together, they enjoyed the Bible teachings at the Farmington and Bonaparte Baptist Churches.

Survivors include his wife: Mary Jo; three sons: Bryan (Donna) Smith of Quincy, Illinois, Bradley (Mami) Smith of Tokyo, Japan and Brent (Amnat) Smith of Bangkok, Thailand; three grandsons: Andrew (Reagan), Phillip (Alicia) and Patrick; six great grandchildren: Tinsley, Bentley, Hollis, Landon, Grier and Wellman. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother; father; three brothers and one sister.

Gene attended elementary schools in Milton and Farmington and graduated from Farmington High School in 1950. He was inducted into the Army in 1952 and proudly served with the Second Infantry Division in Korea in 1953 and 1954 receiving Presidential Unit Citations for the 1953 Spring Offensive and the 1953 Summer Offensive and was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. He attended Black Hawk Junior College in Burlington and graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers’ College in 1960 with a B.S. degree in education. Gene was a classroom teacher for thirty-four years, teaching in Cincinnati, Iowa, Round Lake, Illinois and Farmington, Iowa, retiring in 1994. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan for more than fifty years. Dogs were his favorite pets, especially Cleo. Gene enjoyed playing baseball at different levels, watching his three sons grow up and become successful businessmen, attending his three grandsons’ soccer, baseball and football games and visiting his great grandchildren.

Friends may call after 12:00 noon, Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, where the family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington with Pastor Mark Caston officiating.

Burial will be at a later date with full military rites presented by the Farmington American Legion Richardson – Anthony Post #231.

Memorials have been established in his memory for the Farmington American Legion or Bonaparte Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements.