Bennie J. Smith, 95, passed away Saturday, November 5, 2022, at SunPorch of Smith County, Smith Center, Kansas.
Bennie was born on December 10, 1926, in Athol, Kansas, the son of Edward G. and Neva M. (Beach) Smith. On March 4, 1962, he married Lois L. Matteson in Phillipsburg, Kansas. They were blessed with two children, Stacey and Kevin. Bennie was a U. S. Army WWII Veteran serving from May 26, 1945, to October 9, 1946, when he was honorably discharged. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, Athol, Kansas.
Bennie loved the farm. He never hit his cattle, just spoke softly to them. He was always there to lend a helping hand to neighbors, and they reciprocated when he broke his leg and needed help with wheat harvest. He and Lois enjoyed traveling after retirement, to such places as Europe and Hawaii, as well as regular trips to Branson and Estes Park. They had an Alaskan cruise planned, until Lois' cancer returned, and they had to forfeit. A highlight was camping, and they belonged to a camping club, making many friends from Kansas and Nebraska. Bennie hitched up his 5th wheel well into his 80s.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lois on November 5, 2005; brother, Arthur Smith; and a sister, Ilene (Wagenblast) Voorhees.
Bennie is survived by his two children, Stacey Smith of Concordia and Kevin (Charlene) Smith of Athol; a sister-in-law, Betty Smith of Smith Center; two grandchildren, Derek (Staci) Foreman and Dakota (Latham) Foreman, and three great-grandchildren, Tate and Mack Foreman and Eitte Foreman.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 14, 2022, at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, Kansas.
There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen. Inurnment with military honors will take place at Pleasant View Cemetery, Athol, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to Smith Center Senior Center and/or Bennie J. Smith Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.