Wayne Gerald Smith
Born: March 13th, 1944
Died: July 26th, 2019
Obituary
Wayne Gerald Smith, 75, of Burlington, died at 3:20 pm Friday, July 26, 2019, at the Prairie Ridge Care & Rehabilitation in Mediapolis.
Born March 13, 1944, in Burlington, he was the son of Kenneth R. and Jean C. Siverly Smith. On October 12, 1968, he married Ruth Mary Newman.
He graduated from Burlington High School in 1961 and from Southeastern Community College with an Associates Degree in 1965. He later earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Northeastern Missouri State University (now known as Truman State University) in 1968. Then received his Masters of Business Administration from St. Ambrose college in Davenport, IA in 1988. During Wayne's college internship at J.I. Case he was awarded several Lincoln Arc Welding design awards for the design of weld structures in construction equipment.
Wayne served in the National Guard for six years (1965-1971).
Wayne worked at J.I. Case for 34 1/2 years. Initially, he worked in the product engineering department as a designer. After 20 years in product engineering and serving as project engineer in current products, he transferred to manufacturing engineering as chief engineer of advanced manufacturing engineering worldwide. This involved launching new Case backhoes worldwide and also included extensive traveling to Europe and South America. During 2003 through 2008, Wayne worked as a Launch Coordinator of new products at the Burlington plant.
He was a member of the Moose Fraternal Order of Eagles, Zion Church of Christ, and the Carthage Lake Club. He enjoyed dancing, gardening, his grandchildren, boating, and fishing. He also enjoyed hunting pheasants, deer, and mushrooms. In his earlier years he played the guitar and obtained a pilot's license.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth; one daughter, Audra Darche of Naperville, IL; one son, Matt Smith of Ottumwa; two brothers, Larry Smith of Saint Louis, MO, and Robert Smith of Knoxville, TN; three grandchildren, Chloe, Shelby, and Tyler Darche all of Naperville, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Kenneth W. Smith.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, August 2, 2019 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The memorial service for Mr. Smith will be 10:00 AM Saturday, August 3, 2019, at Zion United Church of Christ with Reverend Brice Hughes officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held Zion United Church of Christ following the burial.
Cremation has been entrusted to Prugh- Thielen Crematory
A memorial has been established for Zion United Church of Christ.