Lavan O. Smith

LaVan Smith

LaVan Smith, 86, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. He had been a patient there for just a few days.

LaVan O. Smith was born in Putnam County, MO, the son of Bernard H. and Velva (Crawford) Smith, who preceded him in death. He was reared in Putnam County and attended rural schools there until graduating from Unionville High School in 1947. LaVan joined the United States army during the Korean conflict and served with the Military Police.

LaVan married Anna Belle Wright on June 2, 1954, in Unionville, MO, after he was discharged from the service. He soon began a life long career has a heavy equipment operator, first working for Leonard Noel and then in partnership with Glen Johnson. He assumed full ownership after Glen retired. LaVan was particular about his work and his equipment. He left his mark on several construction projects in Putnam County including Lake Thunderhead, the (original) Putnam County Memorial Hospital, the city lagoons, and Farmer’s Bank.

LaVan was a devout Christian gentleman who conducted himself and his business with godly values and character. He was active in the First Christian Church in Unionville, serving as elder. LaVan found great joy traveling to the Colorado church camp NYR with youth from the church, as well as taking his heavy equipment to the camp to help with improvements. LaVan was also an active member of American Legion Post #34 in Unionville and served on many military funeral honor details. He liked to collect license plates and barbed wire. He and Anna Belle have made Unionville their life long home.

LaVan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Anna Belle, and by two sons, Terry Smith of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Garry Smith and wife Julie of Blue Springs, MO. His grandchildren are Chad (Jennifer) Smith, Jaclyn (Jim) Maloney, Emily (Kyle) Martin, Molly Smith, and Bradley Smith. Great grandchildren are Riley, Jack Henry, Cooper LaVan and Frankie Smith, Elliot and Hadley Maloney, and Penelope and Ellie AnnaBelle Martin. He is also survived by a brother, Larry (Mary) Smith of Huston, TX, and a sister, Janice (Art) Klinginsmith of the state of Washington.

In addition to his parents, LaVan was preceded in death by a sister, JoAnn Fetters.

Funeral services for LaVan Smith will be at the First Christian Church in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 10, 2015 with visitation one hour prior to the service. Internment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to NYR or the Putnam County Care Center and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.