Obituary : Walter Jasper Smith
Walter J. Smith
The Centralia community, which was saddened Sunday morning September 16 to
hear of the passing of one of its members, Walter J. Smith, gathered at the
Congregational Church Tuesday afternoon, September 18th, at 2:00 o'clock to
pay its last respects to another of its older citizens. The Rev. Glen L.
Argo officated at the service, and the Hayes Funeral Home was in charge of
arrangements. Interment followed at the Centralia cemetery. A mixed quartet,
composed of Mrs. Julia Argo, Mrs. Lois Ayers, Art Myers, and Earl Roberts,
sang "In The Garden" and one of the older and greatly loved
Christian hymns, "It is Well With My Soul." Mrs. Louise Young
served as organist. Those who served as pallbearers were Frank Mentha,
Steve Stalcup, Ernest Swan, Merrill Root, Lee Welliever and Sumner McNeil.
Mr. Smith and his wife, who had lived in this community a number of years
ago, before moving to Salina, Kans. had returned here a few years ago to
make their home. He had been in failing health during the last few months.
Among the relatives who attended the services from out of town were Mrs.
Mollie R. Thornton of Hutchinson, Mrs. Jennie Labbe of Onaga, Mrs. Julia
Peret of Atchison and William Smith of Atchison. Walter J. Smith was born
May 6th, 1876, in Hancock County, Indiana. He came to Kansas with his
parents, Edwin and Josephine Smith, when he was three years of age, and
lived on a farm with his parents until manhood. On May 5th, 1899 he was
married to Orvilla Maneval, and they lived on their farm south of Centralia
until they moved to Salina, later returning to Centralia to make their home.
He is survived by his widow of the home, his sister, Mrs. Mollie R. Thornton
of Hutchinson, Kansas, two half-sisters, Mrs. Jennie Labbe of Onaga, Kansas,
and Mrs. Julia Peret of Atchison, Kansas, two half brothers, Charley M.
Smith of Billings, Montana, and William Smith of Atchison, Kansas, and
nieces and nephews. Mr. Smith was skilled at various handicrafts, and was
always busy, was proud of his home, and was always thinking of ways of
improving it. He was a man of upright character, had many friends, and
enjoyed their companionship. He loved his relatives, and was happy when
with them. He had for many years been a member of the Congregational church.
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