Dudley R. Smith
June 23, 1933 ~ January 28, 2006
Dudley Richard Smith, 72 of Mount Vernon, died Saturday January 28, 2006 in his rural Mount Vernon Home after a long courageous battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, by Reverend David Ambrosy. Visitation 4:00 until 7:30 p.m., Monday at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel, where the Vigil Service begins at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Lisbon. Survivors include his wife Leona of 47 years, five children and their families; Brenda Smith and friend Jim Verhille, Marion, Tamara (Gerald) Elgin and daughters, Karla and Heather, Waseca, Minnesota: Craig (Jean) Smith and their children, Adrienne and Collin, Mount Vernon; Patricia (Matthew) Merz and daughters, Rachael, Maggie and Anna, Shawnee, Kansas; and Monica (Benton) Frey and daughters Lydia and Aubrey, rural Cedar Rapids; a sister Anita (Terrance) Hopkins, West Des Moines and their children, CDR Andrew (Ann), Hopkins, Norfolk, Virginia, and Benjamin (Kim) Hopkins, Des Moines; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Poduska, Solon, Ruth Hinz, Anamosa and Marie (Leo) Beuter, Mesa, Arizona/Solon, Iowa; many aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins and friends. Dudley was preceded in death by his father Howard, in 1995, his mother Edna, in 1996, a brother Norlyn, in 1961, and his in-laws; Louis and Otillie (Pavelka) Reyhons. Dudley Richard Smith was born June 23, 1933 in rural Washington County, the son of Howard and Edna (Vittetoe) Smith. His family moved to the Mount Vernon area in 1939 where he graduated from Lisbon High School in 1951. Dudley joined his father on the family farm north of Mount Vernon, working along side his father until Howard's death. Dudley married Leona Reyhons, the love of his life, on June 17, 1958 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, rural Solon. Dudley continued to farm until his retirement in 1997. Dudley was a good shepard of the land. He enjoyed seeing his five children experience life on the farm. He attended and supported their school activities. Dudley served in the Army National Guard, 109th Medical Company, Iowa City for eight years. He was a trustee for Linn Fire District #1, for twenty plus years. He was a Farm Bureau member. Dudley was a life member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where he served on the council, was a lector and most recently an usher. Dudley enjoyed time spent at the Smith river house on Essman Island, near Guttenberg. He loved nature and God's beauty of the river surroundings. He especially liked it when family and friends could enjoy the home also. Faith, patience, honesty, love and laughter will be his legacy for those left behind. A truly "good man" will be missed by many. A memorial fund has been established.
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I know that my words can’t take away your sense of loss, but I hope that my caring will help to give you strength. Dudley always had a smile for me. I feel lucky to have known him. Blessings to each & everyone of you. Love, Debb
Although we really didn’t know Dudley personally, we do know he was a fine, kind, wonderful man. He was always smiling and happy and so friendly.. The loss of his presence around will be so missed by those of us who would run into him now and then. The loss for you, his family cannot begin to be understood.. but hopefully knowing how many hearts he touched will help ease the saddness you feel. In friendship and love, Candace and Chuck Allen
I am sorry to learn about the passing of your love one. I send my sincere condolences to the family and friends. When the enemy death strikes our grief can be great.. It may even seem unfair that sickness, which can cause death, has the power to take away someone that we love. Yes, it is at times like this that we need comfort and support whether we are acquainted or not God’s word the Bible is comforting in this regard. At Isaiah 33: 24, our Heavenly Father has promise that ‘no resident will say, I am sick’. Yes, in the near future, death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry nor sorrow nor pain is anymore. The former things have passed away? (Revelation 21: 3, 4). Hold on to your wonderful memories of your beloved one for he will not be forgotten by you or Almighty God , Jehovah. – John 5: 28 & 29, Psalms 37:29.
I know this comes late but somehow I wasn’t even aware of Dudley’s passing or illness. I hope my message still finds its way to you. While i didn’t have the opportunity to visit with Dudley often i truly did enjoy the brief conversations I had with both he and Leona. He was always friendly and kind. I want you to know that I am thinking of you all during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all.