Merle Joseph Smith of Kansas City, Missouri was born January 15, 1926 in Kansas City, Missouri to William Andrew Smith and Rose Jane (Edler) Smith. He passed away at age 98 years on February 15, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Merle served in the United States Navy 1943-1947. He was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II, and in 1946 served at Bikini Atoll where he witnessed the atom bomb tests, both air dropped and underwater. After his honorable military discharge he returned home and married Judy D. Venyard on January 24, 1948.
Merle was employed by Bendix Corp. and retired from Allied Signal (now Honeywell) after 35 years. He was a member of Holmeswood Baptist Church for 44 years. He served as an usher and took part in work missions, for his and other churches. Merle enjoyed woodworking, fishing and caring for his yard and flowers.
Merle is preceded in death by his wife Judy, his parents William and Rose Smith, brothers Lawrence Smith and William Dale Smith, sisters Willa Smith, Dorothy Lineberry and Estella Arndt, great-granddaughter Kyleigh Weller, and nephews Bill Lineberry and Todd Smith.
He is survived by sister Mary Sponaugle, daughter Kathy Painter (John), son Larry Smith (John-Harvard), granddaughters Amber Keith (Aaron Johnson) and Leann Weller (Rodger), great-grandchildren Oliver, Garrison and Breanna.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, February 22 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, Visitation to precede at 10:00am. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 12:00pm, Mount Moriah Cemetery South.
The family of Merle Smith would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff and nurses of Kansas City Hospice and to the staff and caregivers of HomeInstead for their dedicated care and compassion of our loved one.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Merle's memory may be made to Liberty Hospital Foundation, Kyleigh’s Gift and/or Kansas City Hospice Foundation and/or DAV – Disabled American Veterans.
