In loving memory of

Floyd L. Smeltser
February 15, 1921 - May 8, 2013

Floyd L. Smeltser, 92, of Alexandria, MO, passed away on Wednesday, May 08, 2013 in his home.

Floyd was born February 15, 1921, in Warsaw, IL to Bert and Mabel Symmonds Smeltser. He married Mary Alice Pruett in 1942.

Floyd lived most of his life in Alexandria except the few years he lived in St. Louis, MO, where he attended barber school. He went on to own a barber shop, Smeltser's Clip Joint, in Alexandria where he would give a quarter to each child after he cut their hair.

Floyd served in the US Army during WWII. He was a past mayor of Alexandria and also a past fire chief of Alexandria. He was a member of the Wayland Special Road District for 35 years, and a member of both the Evangelical Free Church and the New Testament Christian Church, both of Keokuk. He was also an avid commercial fisherman and enjoyed working in his garden.

He is survived by four children: Roger (Kitty) Smeltser of Hamilton, IL, Pam (Wayne) Wright of Wayland, MO, Kathy (Mike) Carr of Keokuk, IA and Steve Smeltser of Wayland, MO; daughter-in-law, Tina Smelter of Alexandria, MO; three brothers, Don (Julie) Smeltser of Wayland, MO, Dallas (Barb) Smeltser of Alexandria, MO, and Albert Smeltser of Hamilton, IL; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three children, Debora, Floyd Jr. (Snooky), and David Smeltser; three brothers, Jim, Bill and Ed; and a sister, Ruth Reynolds.

The family would like to thank Dallas and Barb Smeltser who went the extra mile for Floyd and his family and all the care they provided.

A celebration of his life will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, May 10, 2013, at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center at 917 Blondeau Street in Keokuk. Burial with military rites will follow in Keokuk National Cemetery.

Friends may call after 10 am on Friday, May 10, 2013, at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center at 917 Blondeau Street in Keokuk.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri, 201 S. Baltimore, Suite C, Kirksville, MO 63501.

Tributes

Chris Davis wrote on May 15, 2013:

"So sorry to hear to hear of Floyd's passing. He was an icon in Alexandria. I was one of the recipients of a quarter for a haircut. Prayers to the family."

Kevin Fox wrote on May 14, 2013:

"I interviewed Floyd on his WWII experiences and stopped by and visited with him from time to time. What a great man and a great generation. He and my dad (Bud - David Fox ) were friends and fished together back in the good ole days. I have no doubt that they are throwing web in their faces right now somewhere. I look forward to seeing them both again. Kevin Fox"

Herb Sohl wrote on May 13, 2013:

"I was a long time friend with Floyd. He was certainly one of the friendliest men I have ever known. I was also good friends with Snooky. Mr. Smeltser was a tribute to the wonderful river town of Alexandria. May you rest in peace."

Diane Monical wrote on May 13, 2013:

"Our sympathy to all the family - even tho I was from Keokuk I always thought of Alex. as my second home. Our prayers to all of you."

gary pfeiferling wrote on May 11, 2013:

"RIP"

Penny mortimer wrote on May 10, 2013:

"To the family so sorry we missed the celebration we were just notified this afternoon; we knew Floyd all our lives and liked and appreciated him for all the work he did for Alexandria, and the Special Road District; but most of all the man he was and the friend he was to all the people he met. He will be truely missed by all he was a great piece of history of our city and a great person to call a friend. prayers and sympathy from our family to yours. penny & jerry (scobee) mortimer"

Eric Reger wrote on May 10, 2013:

"Rest in peace Floyd. You were one of the good guys. "

michael albright wrote on May 10, 2013:

"I'll always have fond memories of Mr. Smeltser. He cut our hair the entire time we were growing up. Always remember the quarter he would hand us, and he had the best comic books to read while waiting. Although I haven't seen Floyd in many years, what a stellar gentleman to have known as a child. Rest In Peace Sir. "

Patricia Mitchell wrote on May 10, 2013:

"Sorry about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you."

Oscar & Nadean Davids wrote on May 10, 2013:

"We express our sincere sympathy to the family in the passing of Floyd. May you find comfort in God, our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He was a great friend and brother in Christ. May you remember him in your mind and heart, knowing he now rests in the arms of his Saviour, Jesus. "

The Hughes family (Joel, Heather, Isaac, Ethan, Ma wrote on May 10, 2013:

"There are no words to explain the impact Floyd had in my life and my family. My children loved him as if he was their own Grandpa. We will miss his visits to Colorado, his fun stories and awesome sense of humor. There are so many people here in Colorado who will miss him. Floyd made an impact where ever he went. He had a heart for God and was a Grandfather to those of us who didn't have one. We all truly loved him and look forward to our reunion in Heaven. Thanks for sharing him with us! He gave me hope in mankind when I had none. "

Gary Whitaker wrote on May 10, 2013:

"So sorry to hear of Floyd's passing. I had a nice visit with him in the nursing home. We talked about old times. And he brought back some good memories. I will miss him. may he rest in peace"

Dave Clippert wrote on May 9, 2013:

"I am sorry for your loss. Floyd cut my hair back in the 70's when I was a teenager. My step-father Don Dumenil I came down from Keokuk every so often. I always enjoyed the conversation."

Randy & Irene Fish wrote on May 9, 2013:

"We are so sorry for your loss. Floyd was such a wonderful person, our thoughts & prayers go out to all of his family."

Kara (Barb & Dals granddaughter) wrote on May 9, 2013:

"Great Uncle Floyd took me on my first boat ride on the river when I was visiting my grandparents a couple years ago. I asked if we were going to buy worms and he handed me an empty pop bottle and told me to catch grasshoppers. It was alot of fun. "