Forest E. Smith, 91, of St. Paul, Kansas, formerly of Overland Park, Kansas, fortified with the Sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church, passed away at 4:05 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2007, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
He was born May 24, 1916, in the rural St. Paul-Erie, Kansas, area. He was one of five children born to Francis Eugene and Anna (Cavanaugh) Smith. He attended a one-room country grade school and graduated from St. Francis High School in St. Paul. He taught and coached in these same schools, as well as administering, teaching and coaching in other private and public schools.
He and Lorean Brazil were married May 7, 1940, at St. Aloysius Church in Greenbush, Kansas. Forest and Lorean had no children of their own, but were extremely close to and dearly loved by their brothers and sisters, and their many nieces, nephews and their families. His deep devotion and strong faith in God was a shining example to the younger generations of the family. He will forever be remembered and loved.
In December of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. As a Navy Reservist, he served in World War II as a Merchant Marine. At the War's end, he obtained his B .S. Degree from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, and a M.S. Degree from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, and post graduate hours at the University of Kansas. He then taught and administered at Rockhurst University in Kansas City and Newman College in Wichita. He retired from Financial Publications in 1981.
He had numerous activities including a part time job as Service Representative for Rochester Midland. He was a member of the American Legion in St. Paul, the Elks Lodge in Parsons, and the St. Francis Parish in St. Paul. He was a former member of the Holy Cross in Overland Park, Kansas, and was also a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.
One of Mr. Smith's favorite sayings was "Every day is like Christmas".
Survivors include many loving nieces, nephews and their families, as well as other family members, friends and wonderful neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Eugene and Anna (Cavanaugh) Smith; wife, Lorean Smith; stepmother, Anna Carroll Smith; four sisters, Claire Cooney, Eugenia Van Leeuwen, Sister Mary Eugene Smith and Sister Mary Roberta Smith; stepbrother, Brother Joe George; and a stepsister, Helen Hammerbacher.
Funeral mass is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 30, 2007, at the St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery with military honors given by the American Legion Post No. 116. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2007, at the church where the family will receive friends following the Rosary.
Memorials are suggested to the Prairie Mission Retirement Village or to the donor's personal preference. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Forest E. Smith, please visit our flower store.
He was born May 24, 1916, in the rural St. Paul-Erie, Kansas, area. He was one of five children born to Francis Eugene and Anna (Cavanaugh) Smith. He attended a one-room country grade school and graduated from St. Francis High School in St. Paul. He taught and coached in these same schools, as well as administering, teaching and coaching in other private and public schools.
He and Lorean Brazil were married May 7, 1940, at St. Aloysius Church in Greenbush, Kansas. Forest and Lorean had no children of their own, but were extremely close to and dearly loved by their brothers and sisters, and their many nieces, nephews and their families. His deep devotion and strong faith in God was a shining example to the younger generations of the family. He will forever be remembered and loved.
In December of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. As a Navy Reservist, he served in World War II as a Merchant Marine. At the War's end, he obtained his B .S. Degree from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, and a M.S. Degree from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, and post graduate hours at the University of Kansas. He then taught and administered at Rockhurst University in Kansas City and Newman College in Wichita. He retired from Financial Publications in 1981.
He had numerous activities including a part time job as Service Representative for Rochester Midland. He was a member of the American Legion in St. Paul, the Elks Lodge in Parsons, and the St. Francis Parish in St. Paul. He was a former member of the Holy Cross in Overland Park, Kansas, and was also a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.
One of Mr. Smith's favorite sayings was "Every day is like Christmas".
Survivors include many loving nieces, nephews and their families, as well as other family members, friends and wonderful neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Eugene and Anna (Cavanaugh) Smith; wife, Lorean Smith; stepmother, Anna Carroll Smith; four sisters, Claire Cooney, Eugenia Van Leeuwen, Sister Mary Eugene Smith and Sister Mary Roberta Smith; stepbrother, Brother Joe George; and a stepsister, Helen Hammerbacher.
Funeral mass is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 30, 2007, at the St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery with military honors given by the American Legion Post No. 116. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2007, at the church where the family will receive friends following the Rosary.
Memorials are suggested to the Prairie Mission Retirement Village or to the donor's personal preference. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Forest E. Smith, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors