Edward Earl Smith

Edward Earl Smith, 82, of New London died Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at New London Nursing & Rehab Center. Born Feb. 13, 1929, in Mount Pleasant, he was the son of Edward N. and Henrietta Reckseick Smith. On Nov. 23, 1950, he married Lois J. Huppenberger in Burlington. She died Sept. 12, 1999. On April 10, 2001, he married Jerilyn Sitera in New London. Mr. Smith worked with his father at Smith Insurance Agency and they developed Geode Industries in New London which in 20 years, grew into an international export business. He introduced the Viking VT-6 Rotary tumbler which polished rocks in half the time with his patented triple-fold action barrel design in 1958, the Vibra-Sonic line using a mechanical drive system with weights and pulleys in 1962, and the Geo-Sonics division of Geode Industries and the Mini-Sonic tumbler line using electronic frequency in 1974. He also introduced Vibra-Dry polishing compounds, a dry polishing system, using natural Iowa corncob with synthetic polishing agents which are still used for other services such as polishing titanium and plastic heart valves and eyeglass lenses. He traveled the United States, and to Japan and Europe to promote his pr...[more]

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cts and Iowa. Geode Industries was awarded the President's "E" Award (an exporting award presented by the Department of Commerce) for export expansion, by Governor Robert Ray in 1978, one of 30 companies in Iowa to receive the award. He graduated from New London High School in 1946, and from University of Iowa in 1952, with a bachelor's degree in business and geology. He served as a medical and forensic photographer in the Army from 1946 to 1948 achieving the rank of sergeant. He took photos of visiting USO shows, which included the "big bands" and celebrities, and met General Dwight D. Eisenhower. On April 9, 2011, he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Honorable Service Lapel Button, medals that should have been awarded after the war, but were destroyed in a fire. He was a lifetime member of New London United Methodist Church, serving on boards and committees and with his wife was a founding member of the Fun & Fellowship Group affiliated with the church. He was a member of Gemological Institute of America, a 60-year member of New London Lodge 28 A.F. and A.M., and longtime board member of New London Library. He wrote four books on tumbling, cutting and polishing gems, on geodes and on the history of Geode State Park. He was an advocate for the park over the years. He gave tours at the "rock shop" on Main Street in New London, talks in local classrooms, and demonstrations at the sixth grade camp-outs at the Y Camp. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, searching for fossils, rocks and arrowheads, and time with family. Survivors include his wife of Yuma, Ariz; two daughters, Barbara Blint and Linda Smith, both of New London; two sons, Steve Smith of Coralville and Dave Smith of New London; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Elliott Chapel in New London, where family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. The body has been cremated. The memorial service with Masonic and military rites for Mr. Smith will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Elliott Chapel, with the Rev. Randy Gearhart officiating. Burial will be at a later date. A memorial has been established.