PAUL CLIFTON SMITH

PAUL CLIFTON SMITH
Paul Clifton Smith was born to Milo and Ida (Driver) Smith on January 12, 1924 in Clarke County. He was the fourth oldest of 15 children. He went to school in Clarke County and helped his dad on the farm. In March 1943 he went into the service, he was First Marine Division Fifth regiment, third battalion, Company One . He served in the Pacific Islands seeing combat on New Guinea, New Britain, Peleliu and Okinawa. He was discharged January 1946. On October 4, 1946 he married Ardella Marie Newton in Rock Falls, Illinois. To this union was born Jerry Wayne, Peggy Jean, Russell Dean and Rodney Paul. He worked at a wire factory in Illinois and then went to mechanic school and worked on model A’s. The family farmed in Clarke, Decatur and Ringgold counties before moving into Kellerton in 1985. He loved his cattle and continued to have cattle until his 70’s. He also would coon hunt and rabbit hunt with the family. He gardened and enjoyed being outside. He enjoyed being with family and grandkids. Paul passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center.
Paul was preceded in death by his wife Ardella of 52 years; parents, Milo and Ida Smith; infant son Jerry Wayne; brother Russell Smith whom gave his life in service in the Pacific, brothers John (Lola) and Victor Smith; sisters Virginia (Lyle) Pfander, Florence Smith, Mary (Albert) White, Dorothy (Clyde) Bowlsby and Shirley Smith; brother-in-law Francis Mathis and Milton Reynolds.
Paul is survived by his children, Peggy (Tom) Kester of Fontenelle, Russell (Mary) Smith of Kellerton and Rodney (Diane) Smith of Bedford; brothers William Smith of Woodburn, Donald Smith of Leon, and Kenneth Smith of Woodburn; sisters Marjorie Reynolds of Osceola, Twyla Mathis of New Providence and Lucy (Danny) Stubbs of Corydon; sister-in-law Beverly Smith of Osceola; grandchildren Michelle (Ty) Lilly of Mount Ayr, Clifton (Rebecca) Smith of Adel, Leana (Travis) Smith of Corning, Chad (Katherine) Smith of Clarinda; step grandkids, Dee (Ralph) Hallahan, Holly (Tom) Schafer, Troy (Krystal) Kester; great grandkids Brian Welcher, Casey Welcher, Bryson and Kaden Smith, Ashlynn and Briley Pitman, Zariah Dobrovolny; step great-grandkids Leanna Pruett, CJ Bosarge, Jennie Bosarge, Kaleb and Konner Dodge, Oakley and Emmy Kester; several great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Services were at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2018 at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Officiating was Rev. Monty Newton.
Songs were “Go Rest High on that Mountain”, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
Casketbearers were Troy Kester, William Godden, Tom Giles, Brian Welcher, Andrew Smith and Terry Munyon.
Final resting place is the Murray Cemetery, Murray, Iowa.
Military honors were by the Iowa Marine Honor Guard and Ringgold American Legion Post 172.
Memorials to the Ringgold American Legion Post 172.