Edward “Lad” Smith, Sr.

Edward “Lad” Smith, Sr.

Feb. 7, 1929 - Feb. 23, 2020

BARTLEY, Neb. — Edward “Lad” Smith, age 91, of Bartley, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.

He was born in Bartley on Feb. 7, 1929, to Joseph H. and Viola (Smith) Smith. Lad attended and graduated from Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis in 1946 and attended one year of college at Colorado A&M in Fort Collins, Colo. On Jan. 18, 1951, he joined the United States Navy during the Korean War in the Pacific and served on the aircraft carriers USS Essex, USS Kearsarge and finally, the USS Bataan. Lad was honorably discharged on Dec. 1, 1954.

Lad was united in marriage to Beverly Pycha on June 7, 1953, in Bartley. To this union three children were born: Kathleen, Kristy Jo, and Thomas. The family farmed in the Bartley area.

He was a member of the Bartley Fire Department, serving as a fireman and EMT, member of the VFW Post 7030 and a member of William Wight Post 245 American Legion. Lad served on the Bartley town board and was a member of the Kemper United Methodist Church in Bartley.

Lad enjoyed family time and his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Lad and Beverly enjoyed traveling to the USS Bataan ship reunions.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Viola; and two sisters, Josephine Behrends and Miriam Smith.

Lad is survived by his wife, Beverly of Bartley; two daughters, Kathleen and husband, Mark Webb of Park City, Mont., Kristy Jo Kreiling and husband, Mike Kreiling of Bartley, and son, Tom Smith and wife, Patricia of Bartley; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Lad will be Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at 10:30 a.m., at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Cambridge with Rev. David Kim and George Probasco officiating. Interment will be in the Bartley Cemetery with Military Honors.

Visitation will be at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friends may leave online condolences at lockenourfh.com.

Memorials may be left in Lad’s name at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary entrusted with arrangements.