Stan Smith

Feb. 21, 1920 - March 17, 2009

CHAMPION -- Stan Stuart Smith, 89, died Tuesday (March 17, 2009) at Imperial Manor Nursing Home.

He was born Feb. 21, 1920, to Seldon H. Smith and Mary Belle Sales on the family farm west of Champion. He graduated from Chase County High School in 1936, at the age of 16.

He married Goldie Marie McCurry on April 20, 1941, in Imperial. They lived west of Champion. He served in the U.S. Navy from March 1945 to April 1946 during World War II. He was a farmer and did custom haying.

He and his wife, donated the land north of their home for the Wagon Wheel Ballpark in 1950, where he played softball.

He was a member of the Community of Christ Church. He served in the priesthood and was the pastor of the Imperial Congregation for many years. He was called upon often for many wedding ceremonies, blessings, baptisms and funerals.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Goldie on Jan. 23, 2009; his parents; brother, Jack; sisters, Hazel Beck and Frannie Lubeck; sisters-in-law, Velma Smith and Thelma Yost; and brothers-in-law, Willard Yost, Norman Beck and Herman Lubeck.

Survivors include his son, Jim and wife, Marla of Ogallala, Bill and wife, Cindy of Max and Larry and wife, Debbie of Blue Springs, Mo.; brother-in-law, Bill and wife, Agnes McCurry of Blue Springs, Mo.; sister-in-law, Connie Borell and husband, Jim of Burns, Wyo.; 20 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial services were Saturday at Champion Community Center at Champion with Mitch and Cindy Korf officiating. Inurnment will be at Lakeview Cemetery at Champion at a later date.

A memorial has been established to the Champion Community Center.

There was no visitation. He donated his body to the Nebraska State Anatomical Board at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.