1927
Keith
2018
Keith Whiteley Smith
September 22, 1927 — October 25, 2018
Keith Whiteley Smith was born in Lucerne, MO, on September 22, 1927, the son of George Emmett and Mary Edith (Whiteley) Smith, who preceded him in death. He joined older brothers George and Cleo. Keith graduated from Lucerne High School in 1945 and joined the United States Army in 1946, serving until 1947. He enjoyed playing baseball in his younger years and carried his love for baseball throughout his life, coaching his children in softball and baseball and being an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Keith married June Pauley at her parent’s home on December 22, 1950, and she survives. Four children were born to this union: Sharon, Karon, Stan, and Gary.
Keith and June were a good team on the farm where they raised cattle and milked cows. Keith attended auctioneer school in 1955 and began a long career as an auctioneer in addition to his farming. He regularly sold at cattle sales in Unionville, Milan, and Princeton. He also had many estate and family sales throughout his many years. Keith and June sold their farm to their son Stan in 1977 and moved to Lucerne, but Keith continued to help Stan on the farm and hold sales. He and June moved to the Care Center in 2015.
Keith was active in serving the community of Lucerne. He served on the West Putnam School Board and was emcee of the Lucerne Livestock Show for a number of decades. He also liked to camp with “the crazy eights,” longtime friends from Lucerne. He was also an active member of the Lucerne Methodist Church.
In addition to his wife, Keith is survived by a daughter, Sharon (Steve) Hulsopple, of Berryton, KS, a son, Gary (fiancé Kay Hanson) Smith of Lenox, IA, a daughter-in-law, Gloria Smith of Unionville, MO, and a son-in-law, Jack (Judy) Parsons, of Newtown, MO. His grandchildren are Derek Hulsopple, Kim Hulsopple, Kari Smith, Justin Parsons, Jenna Leach, Gabe Hirst, Zach Hirst, Jessica Graff, Jeremy Smith, Joshua Smith, and Jannica Bradley. 26 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild also survive as well as nieces and nephews.
Keith was preceded in death by two children, Stan Smith and Karon Parsons; a granddaughter, Kassie Smith; a daughter-in-law, Denise Smith; and both brothers, George and Cleo.
Funeral services for Keith Smith will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Lucerne Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Lucerne Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith Whiteley Smith, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home
Guestbook
Visits: 1
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