Ralph Smith

Ralph E. Smith, 91, of Iola died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, at he Allen County Hospital in Iola.
He was born March 12, 1919, in Vail, Iowa, to Otho G. and Grace E. (Jones) Smith. The family moved to Colony and he lived there for many years. He attended Colony High School and graduated from there in 1937. He joined the U.S. Army in March of 1941 serving until the end of World War II and then returned to the family farm. He was called back into the service in 1950 and served during the Korean War. He was a captain and was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
He continued farming for several years. He served as a bank loan officer at Iola State Bank for 24 years and was an auctioneer for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Kansas Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame. He was recognized in 2007 as a 60-year member of Moran American Legion. He organized and auctioneered the Allen County 4-H livestock sale and was secretary and member of the Allen County Fair Board for many years. He received special recognition by the Allen County 4-H clubs in 2005 for his service to 4-H. He was president of the Moran School Board in 1951 and served on the Allen County Extension Board. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola.
On Jan. 5, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, A. Nadine Fogleman, in Arizona. They had two children. She died Sept. 13, 1960.
On Aug. 5, 1979, he married Maxine Harvey.
He is survived by his wife of the home; two children, Robert H., Iola, and A. Jean Schaffer, Wichita; a stepdaughter, Tyra Harvey O’Rourk, Nashua, N.H.; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and three nephews, Vincent Smith, Blue Springs, Mo., Mike Smith, Kansas City, and Earl Smith, Littleton, Colo.
A sister, Marie Chatterton, and two brothers, Paul J. and Raymond D., his twin, died earlier.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola. The Rev. Trudy Kenyon Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Colony Cemetery.
Memorials to Wesley United Methodist Church or Colony United Methodist Church may be left at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at iolafuneral.com.