Morris E. Smith

Morris Elry Smith, 86, of Davenport and formerly of Marengo, IA, died peacefully at the Kahl Home in Davenport on Sunday, January 23, 2011. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Marengo, IA, followed by a joint interment for both Morrie and Jean at Marengo Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 AM Friday at the church. A time of fellowship with family to celebrate the lives of both Morrie and Jean will follow the service in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kahl Home. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com.

Morris Elry Smith was born March 6, 1924 in Davenport, IA. He was the second youngest child of Elry and Leone Smith. He and his six brothers and sisters grew up on Davenport’s West Side. Morrie attended Davenport High School until enlisting in the service at the beginning of World War II. He was proud to have served in the United States Navy aboard PT Boat 234, Squadron 23 and saw action in both the European and Pacific theatres of war. He was discharged in 1946. On November 27, 1948 Morris was united in marriage to Juanita Jean Utter in Davenport. To this union thirteen children were born.

Morrie’s career path included wholesale appliance sales for RCA and Amana Refrigeration. He eventually headed up the service department for Tri-City Sales in Bettendorf, IA before deciding to go out on his own in 1977, opening the Marengo Tap Room and later his own appliance store, MS Appliance, in Marengo and Williamsburg, IA. He and Jean were active in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church there in Marengo.

Morrie was preceded in death by his dear wife of 62 years, Jean, who passed away on November 29, 2010 and whom he missed terribly.

He is survived by his loving children; Patricia (Steve) Albright, Los Angeles, CA, Mark (Sandra) Smith, Clarendon Hills, IL, Jeffrey (Christine) Smith, Prophetstown, IL, Rebecca Jones, Kutztown, PA, Russell (Maurine) Smith, Anderson, SC, Kevin (Karen) Smith, Jacksonville Beach, FL, Catherine (Dan) Hughes, Bettendorf, IA, David Smith, Davenport, IA, Mary (Greg) Duncan, Brookfield, WI, Lisa (Barth) Adolphson, Cedar Rapids, IA, Paul (Lana) Smith, Indianola, IA, William (Diane) Smith, Marengo, IA, Andrew (Kim) Smith, Marion, IA; as well as 42 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Shirley Anderson, Scottsdale, AZ.