CHARLES W. "CHARLIE" SMITH

Charles W. "Charlie" Smith, 73, of Tonganoxie, formerly of Ozawkie, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 at Providence Medical Center E.R. in Kansas City, Kan.

He was born April 2, 1936 in Linn County, Kan., near Mapleton, the son of Louis W. and Irmal Irene Cowan Smith.

He attended schools in Blue Mound.

He had lived in Tonganoxie eight years, moving from Ozawkie where he had lived since 1979.

He served in the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant officer from 1958 until he retired in 1978.

He then worked at the Western area distribution center for the U.S. Postal service in Topeka for 19 years.

He was a member of American Legion Post No. 225 in Ozawkie and a charter member of the Meriden V.F.W. Post No. 10815.

He was a member of the Oskaloosa Masonice Lodge No. 14 A.F. and A.M., the Arab Shrine in Topeka and the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 62 of Oskaloosa.

He was married to Dolores L. Poos on Aug. 1, 1958 in Miami, Okla., she survives at the home.

Also surviving are his mother, Irmal L. Smith, Blue Mound, one son, Sgt. Maj. Terence Smith, Georgetown, Texas; one daughter, Kandi White, Tonganoxie; one brother, Dan Smith, Fort Scott; one sister, Barbara Michael, Blue Mound; and four grandchildren.

Cremation is planned. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, at the Oskaloosa United Methodist Church with Masonic Rites conducted by Oskaloosa Lodge No. 14 and American Legion Honors conducted by Post No. 225.

Inurnment will be at a later date at Leavenworth V.A. National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Jefferson County Friends of Hospice in care of Barnett-Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 416, Oskaloosa, Kan., 66066.