Martin Smith

Martin Henry Smith was born on March 31, 1923, in Crawford County, Iowa to Silas H. and Ruth (Hazen) Smith. Martin graduated from Dunlap High School in 1943. On November 21, 1942, Martin married Lois Thompson in Papillion, Nebraska. Martin served in the US Navy for 2 ½ years during World War II. After his discharge Martin went to work for Charlie Sweetman then the John Deere Dealership in Dunlap. In 1957 he worked for Quad States Construction until his retirement in 1987. At one point Martin and Lois lived in Dayton, Iowa for about five years then returned to Dunlap. Lois died on February 7, 1995. Martin married Bonnie Waite in 1996 and they lived in Woodbine. Martin moved back to Dunlap in 2009.

Martin was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Dow City and currently a member of the Followers of Christ in Woodbine. He had been active in the priesthood with the church. He was very active with the American Legion Post #224 for 61+ years. Martin served as Mayor of Dunlap for five years (last day as mayor was August 30, 1996) and a council member for six years. He helped start Pleasant View Park and in getting QLF to relocate in Dunlap. He helped build the RLDS Church in Dunlap which is now the Lifeline church.

Martin died on May 11, 2014, at the Community Memorial Hospital in Missouri Valley, Iowa at the age of 91 years, one month, and 11 days.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, first wife of 52 years Lois, four brothers, Virgil, Perry, Sherman and Herman; four sisters, Margaret Wolf, Leona Burger, Leta Foscalina and Lena Jacob; and son-in-law, Ervin Rock. He is survived by his children, Becky and Larry Schwarte of Denison, Iowa, Pamela Rock of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Martin C. and Karen Smith of Flower Mound, Texas and David and Karla Hamblen of Dunlap, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Marie Smith Block of Dunlap, Iowa and Virginia Smith of Woodbine, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.