Robert Earl Smith

Robert Earl Smith, formerly of Bella Vista, AR and Des Moines, IA, passed away November 14, 2017 in Mesa, AZ. He was born August 1, 1925 in Waterloo, IA to Charles H. and Emma [Briggs] Smith. Robert proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy Seabees. Following WWII, on VJ Day in 1945, Robert married his love, Charline Capps, and together they raised their two children, Andrew and Diana. He worked as a pressman his entire life and was instrumental in the printing of Better Homes & Gardens magazine; he retired from R.R. Donnelley in the mid-1980s. Robert was very handy and would love to build and constructed home built planes and cars; in his later years Robert built model wooden ships which were loved by all. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Emma; his beloved wife of 64 years, Charline, who passed away in 2009; two sisters, Thelma Morris and Velda Jones as well as his cherished daughter, Diana Kay Brumm in 2011. He is survived by his son, Andrew (Shari) Smith; grandchildren, Tony (Flora) Brumm, Mike (Amee) Brumm, Melissa (Todd) Merwin, Austin (Annie) Smith and Brandon (Marissa) Smith; as well as 13 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA or the Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm, Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Mariposa Gardens Funeral care 400 S. Power Rd in Mesa, AZ. Additional services to be held in the spring of 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa. Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens (480) 830-4422