Mark D. Smith

Mark D. Smith, 71, of Olathe, and formerly of McCune, Kansas, passed away the evening of Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, following a serious illness.

Mark Douglas Smith was born on December 31, 1952, to Max A. and Helen E. (Knowles) Smith in Sedan, Kansas, the youngest of three boys. He grew up and attended school in McCune, graduating from McCune High School in 1970.  In 1974, Mark earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Kansas State University.

Following graduation, he moved to Waynesboro, Virginia, and began his career with DuPont, specializing in synthetic fibers.  In 1977, Mark moved to Olathe, where he worked for Bendix Corporation, which eventually became Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies. Throughout his career, he was instrumental in developing precision environmentally friendly cleaning processes and surface modifications.  Mark was responsible for transitioning the Honeywell plant from chemically and environmentally hazardous paint to safe, non-toxic paints.  He retired from Honeywell FM&T in September 2015.

Mark loved spending time with his family and enjoyed living in the country, where he took pride in landscaping and beautifying the family home. He was a devoted NASCAR fan, who loved attending races with friends and family.

On May 25, 1974, Mark and Alice L. Gartner were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his daughter, Amanda Smith of Greeley, Kansas; his son, Max Smith of Olathe, Kansas; his close nephew, Bryce Gartner and his wife, Jennifer, and their sons, Carson and Parker, of Holly Springs, North Carolina; two brothers, Joe M. Smith and his wife, Beverly, of Independence, Kansas; and Robert Smith and his wife, Shirley, of Cuenca, Ecuador; brother-in-law, James Gartner and his wife, Chris, of Hudsonville, Michigan;  cousins, Glenda Best of Pittsburg, Kansas; and Richard Smith of Sulphur, Louisiana; and numerous nieces, nephews, work friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the McCune Methodist Church.  Burial will follow at the McCune Cemetery in McCune.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m., Thursday, until the beginning of the service at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.