March 29, 2024

Robert E. Smith

Robert E. Smith, 85, of Hills, Iowa, formerly of Newton, died on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2012, at the Atrium Village in Hills, Iowa.

Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 308 E. Second St. N. in Newton. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the church.

Memorials to Newton Community Educational Foundation, Iowa 4-H Foundation, Congregational United Church of Christ in Newton, or Iowa City Hospice may be left at the church at the time of the visitation & service or they also may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton. Memorials may also be mailed to the funeral home, please add, Attn: Smith Family on the envelope.

Wallace Family Funeral Home & Crematory in Newton is assisting the family with local arrangements.

Robert E. Smith, the son of Orville W. and Ruth F. (Ellis) Smith was born on August 2, 1927 in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was a graduate of State Center High School in State Center, Iowa in 1945.

On December 18, 1949, Robert was united in marriage with Harriet J. Hammerly in Ames, Iowa. They moved to the farm in rural Newton in 1959; where he would retire as a dairy farmer. Robert was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Newton, Newton Lodge No. 59 A.F. & A.M., Oakridge Grange, Honorary Newton FFA member, Past Iowa 4-H President, FarmHouse Fraternity and a member of the Newton Booster Club.  He loved being with his family and enjoying the time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed working and caring for animals. Robert also enjoyed fishing and going on the fishing trips.

Those left to honor Robert’s memory are his children, Ellis (Kathy) Smith of North Liberty, Tim Smith of Iowa City, Julie (Jim) Jones of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and Brian (Gina) Smith of Ames; eleven grandchildren,   Scott (Jennifer) Smith, Ellie (Andy) Knape, Michelle (Mike) Webster, Allison Smith, Michael Smith, Jill Jones (fiancé, Nate Durham), Jackie (Dan) Koch, Jenny Jones, Erin, Drew, and Leah Smith; his seven great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Mitchell, Joanie, Joshua, Alexa, Hudson, and Jacob; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Linda in infancy.