Benjamin Hugh Smith, son of John and Mabel Scott Smith, was born July 26, 1917, near Zearing in Story County, Iowa. At an early age, he moved with his parents to the Sumner area. He received his education in the Fremont #4 Country School, near Sumner. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1941-1945, being honorably discharged at the rank of Ssgt., after serving in the South Pacific during World War II.
On August 12, 1947, he was united in marriage with Alice O’Connor at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Raymond, Iowa. To this union 13 children were born. Ben farmed south of Sumner for many years, prior to moving to Sumner one year ago.
Ben’s death occurred at his home on Thursday, December 17, 2009, from natural causes. He was 92 years old and a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sumner. He was also a member of the Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner.
In addition to his wife, Alice of 62 years, he is survived by eleven children, Michael (Patrice) Smith of Dunkerton, David Smith of Des Moines, Mark (Sally) Smith of Sumner, Coletta Smith of Lancaster, PA, Gregory (Kelly) Smith of Huntington Beach, CA, Margaret (Jerry) Eimers of Ankeny, Joan (James) Lesinski, Dearborn, MI, Roberta (Daniel) Kolos of Gainesville, VA, Nancy (Kevin) Maher of Cedar Rapids, Daniel Smith of Eldridge, Iowa, and Roger (Lizzie) Smith of Phoenix; 32 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and 5 sisters, Sister Mary Robertine, OSF of Dubuque, Sister Mary Valentine, OSF of Dubuque, Mary (John) McGuigan of Hawaii, Sister Arlene, OSF of Dubuque, and Sister Maureen, OSF of Florida.
Ben was preceded in death by one daughter, Jacqueline; one son, Joseph in infancy; his parents; eight brothers, Harold, Father Bob (Ben’s twin), Ted, Valentine, James, Thomas, Norbert, and Franklin; and one sister, Sister Delores.
Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Sumner, Iowa., conducted by Rev. Jim Brokman. Interment will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Sumner. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, December 21, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Church in Sumner where there will be a rosary recited at 4:00 p.m. and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the church. Friends may also call for one hour preceding Mass at the church on Tuesday.
