Kenneth Leroy Smithey (1921 - 2012)

Born 1921 in Missouri

Ancestors

Died 22 Mar 2012 at about age 91 in Prairie Village Johnson County Kansas, USA

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Biography

Obituary

Kenneth Leroy Smithey, Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 22. Kenneth has been a resident at Evergreen Community in Olathe, Kansas, for the past 3 1/2 years. Born on December 16, 1921 to Tiffin and Vera Smithey in Camden, Missouri, Kenneth spent his childhood years in northwestern Missouri and graduated in 1938 from Central H.S in Kansas City, Missouri. Kenneth was a devoted husband to Verdna "Sandy" Roberts Smithey for 54 years. She preceded him in death in 2004. Kenneth was the loving father to two daughters, Denise Smith (Kenneth) of Shawnee, Kansas, and Donna Smithey of Oakland, California, and the proud step-parent to three children, Tom White (Alice) of Salem, Missouri; Mickey White (Angell) of Creston, Iowa; and Ginger Stovall (Bruce) of Cisco, Texas. Kenneth was particularly fond of his son-in-law, Kenneth Smith with whom he shared a love of family and volunteerism. His survivors also include 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Kenneth was a WW II veteran from the “Greatest Generation”, serving in the Army Air Corps at stations in the US and throughout the European theater. After the war he became a home builder and continued in that profession throughout his working career. Kenneth was dedicated to service, particularly through his churches, first at Bethel Presbyterian in Kansas City, Kansas, and for the last 28 years at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. He was a founding member of Village Church's Habitat for Humanity crew and continued his service with that group for nearly 20 years. Over the years Kenneth also volunteered as a school board member, Presbyterian elder, softball coach, and in a variety of other efforts.

Kenneth's primary focus was his family. He leaves a legacy that only a loving parent and grandparent could offer, supporting and encouraging a dedication to community and service, as well as love and support for one another.

The family appreciates the care and loving concern of the staff at Evergreen Community over the past years. Services will be held on March 29th at 2:00 in the Village Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas, with a reception to follow at the church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts be given to Village Church Food Pantry/Kenneth Smithey, or to GERTI c/o Evergreen Community of Johnson County .

Published by Porter Funeral Home, Olathe, KS

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Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=148688874