Vernon R. Smith

Vernon R. Smith, age 82, of Ulysses, Kansas died Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kansas. He was born February 15, 1928 in rural Gray County, Kansas, the son of Sam M. and Susie (Unruh) Smith.

Vernon married Evelyn Koehn on December 18, 1949 in Winton, California. They lived in California and Vernon worked at G&M Metal Fabrication for 7 years prior to 1960 when they moved to Grant County and began farming. Vernon enjoyed tinkering and was always inventing different items. He was a member of the Grant Mennonite Church in Ulysses.

Survivors include three sons, Bryan Smith and wife Vickie of Ulysses, Kansas, Bradley Smith and wife Marsha of Fountain Run, Kentucky, Marshall Smith and wife Shawna of Ulysses, Kansas; four daughters, Carol Koehn and husband Leslie, Lavauna Isaac and husband Harold, Janell Smith, and Monica Smith all of Ulysses, Kansas; two brothers, Ervie Smith of Wright, Kansas, Milton Smith of Dodge City, Kansas; two sisters, Irene Unruh of Copeland, Kansas, Doris Friesen of Middleton, Michigan; 24 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Pearl Koehn, Verda Koehn, Viola Koehn and Frances Harms; and one infant brother.

Visitation: Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses; and Sunday, January 30, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. , at Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kansas.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 31, 2011 at Grant Mennonite Church in Ulysses with Ministers Stuart Jantzen and Denton Koehn officiating.
Interment: Grant Mennonite Cemetery in Ulysses, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be given to Bethel Home or Hospice of the Prairie in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.