Smith, Volney Hammers (1928 - 2020)

SMITH, KEMP, PLESHEK, HAMMERS, YOUNG

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 11/24/2020 at 16:27:52

Name of deceased: Volney Hammers Smith

Aged: 92 yrs, 5 mo, 5 days

Residence: Harlan, Shelby County, IA (formerly of Waukee and West Des Moines, IA)

Born: June 11, 1928; Ames, Story County, IA

Died: Nov. 16, 2020; Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, Shelby County, IA (Covid-19)

Funeral services: Private family services: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020; Resthaven Cemetery, West Des Moines, IA

Survived by: Children, Kathryn Smith of Des Moines, IA, Paul (spouse, Gina) Smith of Harlan, IA, and Neal (spouse, Cindy) Smith, also of Harlan, IA; grandchildren, Jason Smith of Chicago, IL, Alissa Smith of South Hadley, MA, Austin Smith of Ankeny, IA, and Grant Smith of New London, CT; sister-in-law, Sandra Kemp of Council Bluffs, IA; brother-in-law, Philip Pleshek of Concord, CA; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Claude Wallace Smith and Frances Marion (nee Hammers) Smith Kemp; wife, Margaret; brothers, Maxwell Smith, Claude Smith, Jr., Merrill Smith and Jon Kemp

Education: Graduated valedictorian of the Malvern High School, Class of 1945; he continued his education and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1949 from Iowa State College, Ames, IA (now Iowa State University)

Religious affiliation: Active member, Johnston Evangelical Free Church and Grace Baptist Church

Military service: In 1950, Volney enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and served until he retired from the Air Force Reserve in 1973. He attained the rank of Major and was the recipient of the Air Force Commendation medal.

Marriage: Margaret Wilma Young; April 3, 1954; Des Moines, Polk County, IA

Employment: After his military service, Volney began his career with the Soil Conservation Service from which he retired in 1988 as the Assistant State Conservation Engineer

Hobbies/Interests: Travel; genealogy; gardening; reading; watching Jeopardy!

Sources: harlanonline.com; dignitymemorial.com