Hershel Smith

Hershel Wilbert Smith, son of the late Clyde and Beulah (Maggard) Smith, was born the first of nine children on September 22, 1930, in the community of Cedar Grove, Missouri, near Big Creek, east of Raymondville. Hershel passed away from this life October 9, 2024, at the home of his daughter in Springfield, Missouri, at 94 years and 17 days of age.

Hershel’s family moved to Raymondville where he graduated from Houston High School with the class of 1950. For a short time, he helped his father and learned how to work on cars in their garage and service station at Raymondville. 

In 1951, he joined the Air Force and served his country for four years.

After returning home, he went to work for McDonell Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked for thirteen years. During that time, he married Estelline Hurtt. To this union, five children were born, four girls and one boy. After being laid off from his job, Hershel felt it was time to move to the country to raise his family. He bought an 80 acre farm and lived there for 54 years. Hershel enjoyed his farm and cattle and making a garden. He also worked for Hutch Industries and retired after twenty years. In his spare time, he liked reading and watching television.

The most important decision he ever made was accepting the Lord as his Savior and being baptized in 2023.

Besides his parents, Hershel was preceded in death by five siblings, Churchel Smith, Troy Smith, Arlene Lightbody, Aleene Hayes, and Shirley Hafner.

He is survived by his loving wife, Estelline, five children, Lisa Buttram of Norwood, Missouri, Karla Wiemokly (Kerry) of Rockwall, Texas, Vickie Young (Brian) of Springfield, Missouri, Brenda Matherly (Marshall) of Fair Grove, Missouri, and Alan Smith of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, four grandchildren, Scarlett Clough (Nathan), Tanner Wiemokly, Maya Sweeny (Christopher), Skyler Lambton (Dennis), one great-grandchild, Archer Lambton, three siblings, Edwin Smith of Houston, Missouri, Roy Smith (Jeanette) of Pevely, Missouri, and Carolyn Whitney (Paul) of the state of Michigan, one sister-in-law, Carol Gardner of Mountain Grove, Missouri, and several nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends who will dearly miss him.