Van Marsden Smith

Van Marsden Smith, 87, of Snowflake, Arizona, passed away on March 28, 2006, in Mesa, Arizona. He was the first child of Jesse M. and Louie Elizabeth Van Wagoner Smith, born August 6, 1918, in Snowflake. Van graduated from Snowflake Union High School in 1935, then attended University of Arizona. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Eastern States Mission, where he met his wife, Margaret. They were married February 10, 1940, in the Salt Lake Temple. He attended George Washington University and graduated from ASU in 1958. He received his M.E. from NAU in 1968. Van owned Audio Fidelity in Phoenix, and later worked as an electrical engineer for Motorola, owned Smith's Store in Snowflake, and taught at both Snowflake Union High School and Mesa Community College. As an artist Van was very talented, both in wood carving and jewelry. Active in his church, Van served on the high council in Snowflake, and as a bishop's counselor in Mesa. A master teacher, he taught the gospel doctrine class for many years in Phoenix, Snowflake and Mesa. Lila and Van served a mission to the Seattle, Washington Family History Center and in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Van was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Margaret Alice Eccles, daughter-in-law Darlene Webb Smith, granddaughter, Amy Smith, and grandson, Patrick Smith. His is survived by his 2nd wife of 25 years, Lila Lundell Mattice Smith, his siblings, Earl Smith, Lilia Seegmiller, Leland Smith, Anne Klarer, Peggy Hatch, Jerome "Buck" Smith, Ruth Hatch, Ronald Smith and his children Stephen Van Smith (Darlene), Alan Lee Smith (Connie), January Stratton (Blaine), Jaime Wade (David), 19 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, April 3, 2006 at the Snowflake Main Street Chapel with a visitation beginning at 9:00 AM. The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for their kind compassionate care. Owens Mortuary of Snowflake is handling the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences, we invite you to visit our website at www.owensmortuary.com