Kassie Jean Smiley

Kassie Smiley, 92, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away in Brookfield, Missouri, on Monday, June 6, 2022.  She had been in declining health for some years.

Kassie Jean (Banner) Smiley was born southeast of Milan, Missouri, on March 11, 1930, the daughter of Dan and Grace (Hennen) Banner.  She graduated from Milan High School in 1946.  Her first job was long distance switchboard operator at the Milan telephone office. She married Robert “Bob” Smiley in Unionville, Missouri, on November 30, 1947. Kassie joined Bob in owning and operating the general store in Lemons.  They also had the propane gas business in Lemons and then ran an appliance store and bottle gas in Milan. They operated Smiley Chevrolet-Olds dealership in Milan and both Kassie and Bob were involved in Smiley Real Estate in Unionville and Milan.

Kassie was a member of the Unionville Garden Club and past president of the Missouri Federation Garden Club.  She was a member of the Putnam-Sullivan County Legal Secretaries Association.  Her yard, flowers, and garden were kept to perfection.  Kassie also liked to paint, and she avidly attended all the sporting events of her children and grandchildren.

Kassie is survived by two children, Roger (Sandra) Smiley of Milan, Missouri, and Rita (Jeff) Kronberger of Neillsville, Wisconsin.  Her three grandsons are Ryan (Amanda) Smiley, Rustin (Stefanie) Smiley, and Ritnee Smiley.  Her great grandchildren are Rylan and Rowan Smiley.  Kassie’s surviving brothers are Joe (Rosa) Banner of Kirksville, Missouri, and David (Kay) Banner of Minden, Nebraska. She is also survived by dear family friends Frances & Dwight Herrick and Marcia & Mike Beck.

Kassie was preceded in death by her parents and Bob, who passed away April 16, 2012, as well as an infant daughter Audra Jo Smiley.  Others who preceded Kassie in death were her stepfather Lawrence Abrahamson; a brother, Dea Banner; a sister, Carole Ricard; and two nephews, Stewart Ricard and Stanley Ricard.

Funeral services for Kassie Smiley will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville at 12:00 noon on Saturday, June 11, 2022, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to the Unionville Cemetery and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th St., Unionville, MO  63565.