James LaVern Smith

Friday, March 25, 2016

James LaVern Smith

Dec. 3, 1955 - March 23, 2016

BEAVER CITY, Neb. -- James LaVern Smith, 60, of Beaver City, died Wednesday (March 23, 2016), at his home.

He was born on Dec. 3, 1955, at Norton, Kan., to Vern and Carol (Martin) Smith. He graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1974. He entered the U.S. Army and spent much of his time serving in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1980.

He returned to Kearney, Neb. and was employed with UPS. He worked there for 30 years before retiring in 2010.

He married Kathryn Kier and had four children He moved back to Beaver City in 2012.

He was preceded in death by his father, Vern; sister, Mary Brox; brother-in-law, David Buss; and nephew, Landon Smith

Survivors include children, Jayme Weber and husband, Justin, Dani Trew and husband, Chuck, and Jordan Smith, all of Kearney, Ashley Cook and husband, Neil of Eugene, Ore.; mother, Carol Smith of Beaver City; brother, Jerry Smith of Hendley, Neb.; sisters, Sue Riley and husband, Bob of Holton, Kan., Toni Hardenbrook and husband, Ray of Axtell, Neb., Terri Martin, Joyce Smith and Cheryl Buss, all of Beaver City; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services are Monday, March 28, 2016, 2 p.m. at Faith Community Church in Beaver City with Bill Weaver officiating. Interment is at the Hendley Cemetery in Hendley, Neb.

Visitation is Saturday, March 26, 2016, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home in Beaver City and prior to the services at the church.

Condolences and personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the Parkinson's Research Foundation at parkinsonhope.org or to Dani Trew, 515 E. 30th St., Kearney, NE 68847.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Beaver City, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements