"I met Chuck in an unusual way. I was attending the Mills Masquers production of "Joseph and the Dreamcoat". My wife Carol was in the cast and I was taking photos while standing in the aisle. Suddenly down the steps came a two-person powered huge camel! To avoid getting run over I backed into the seats and landed on Chuck's lap! No people or camels were hurt, and we had many good laughs about it later. Great guy; greatly missed."
In loving memory of
Charles Philip Smith
April 16, 1935 - December 28, 2014
Charles P. Smith, 79, of Glenwood, passed away on December 28, 2014 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2015 at the Loess Hills Funeral and Cremation Center in Glenwood. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Memorials: Loess Hills Woodturners Club or Grace United Methodist Church
Charles Philip Smith, one of two sons of Dr. Carl Arthur Smith M.D. and Signe Maria (Olson) Smith, was born on April 16, 1935 in Ishpeming, Michigan. He graduated from Evanston Township High School (Illinois) in 1954 and from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois in 1958. He went to Augustana Seminary for one year following college, then began his career at the Lutheran Publishing House where he continued his employment through 38 years and three church mergers. As a retail church supply store manager he bought, sold, collected, and loved books.
It was in Rock Island that this "city boy" met a "country farm girl", Carol Francene Weber and was married on August 9, 1958 in Carol's hometown of Prophetstown, Illinois. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Nikki Lynn, Dawn Marie and Karl Philip.
In 1991, they moved to Glenwood, Iowa and Chuck retired in 1997. His multiple interests led him to many 'How to...' manuals, building canoes and kayaks, and numerous 'collections'. Carol and Chuck remodeled two homes and built the 'shed' in 2001. His love of all things wood, led him to woodturning and the organizing of the Loess Hills Woodturners Club, after his wood shop was completed. He had a great adventure, learning experiences, and fellowship with like-minded guys in the area. Chuck was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Chuck passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014, following a multiple-year battle with MDS. He was preceded in death by his parents; and younger brother, Roger William Smith in 2012.
Chuck is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Carol Smith of Glenwood and children, Nikki, who married Mark Linen; they live in Anaheim, CA and have two children, Joshua and Rebecca. Dawn, who married John Scarince; they live in Lander, WY and have three children, Collin, and twins, Kent and Garret. Karl, who married Kristen Kindler; they live in Plymouth, MN and have three children, Meredith, Clayton, and Walter.
Tributes
"Chuck shared an avid interest in model trains with my husband Bob, and an interest in lively discussions with me. We enjoyed sparing on Lutheranism, life, laughs, etc. He is probably directing things in Heaven now! He will be truly missed. Carol (the "other" Carol as we were each known) is a wonderful kindred spirit and somehow put up with beloved Chuck for years! She is a true saint on Earth. We are thankful to have known Chuck and pray for Carol and the children and grandchildren."
"It was Chuck who first introduced us to "milkcan" dinners at their home. Our prayers are for his lovely wife, Carol and her family as they mourn Chuck's passing from this life."
"Sorry to hear of Charles passing, you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Robin Weber Pardus
Vice Pres of the Weber Reunion Committee"
"I only knew Chuck to past three years.as I joined the Loess hills wood turners. I really enjoyed the time visiting with him. He was always going to come and fish in my pond. Won't be able to come to the funeral as will be out of town."
"Chuck was one of the nicest persons I have ever known. I wish I had met him years ago so that I could have shared our common hobbies more fully. I we I'll miss him."
"Chuck was such a fun person to be around. In July 2013, he dropped Carol at the car pool place for a Red Hats adventure. He yelled 'Everybody OUT!' All the ladies jumped out of their cars! Then he had to take our group picture! We knew leadership when we heard it! My heart goes out to Carol and all the family in their tragic loss."