Max Smith

Max Everett Smith was born September 22,1942 in Osceola, Iowa to Wonda Lucille Boles and Mansel Leon Smith. Life began on the farm in the Elk Chapel area north of Lamoni, Iowa. Later they moved to a home north of Leon, Iowa where Max attended country school; then to an acreage west of Leon where he could go to school in town. Six years after Max was born, sister Kay Marie was born and completed the family.
Growing up with a dad who was both a farmer and a truck driver who was often on the road, Max learned responsibility at a young age. There were cattle to be taken care of and always a large garden that needed to be tended. Never one to shy away from hard work, he managed to balance chores at home with classes at school and graduated from Leon High School, Class of 1960.
After high school graduation, Max quickly learned how fragile life can be. While driving home late at night, he went to sleep at the wheel and hit a bridge abatement. His 1953 Ford was totaled, and he landed in the hospital for three days with multiple injuries. Through the years when the picture of the totaled car with its flattened top was shown to his children, he would comment, "Cars can be replaced, you cannot."
On December 11, 1960, Max and Alberta Joyce Deemer were married at the Nazarene Church in Leon, Iowa. They started married life in Leon where Max worked for Cecil Parson at a gas station. From there they moved to Colfax for the next six months where Max again worked at a gas station. After receiving an offer of a better job, Max and Joyce relocated to Mount Ayr, Iowa and Max delivered milk for Jack Moore. While deeply grateful for the job, milk was delivered very early in the morning and Max was never a fan of early mornings! In 1964 he joined the crew of mechanics at Andy Johnson Chevrolet in Mount Ayr.
In April 1970, encouraged by then manager Eldon Main, Max became a lineman at Rideta Electric Cooperative (REC). This was the start of a career that meant climbing utility poles, working in storms and being on call nights and weekends. Max retired from REC in 2004, happy to then be able to stay warm and dry at home during ice storms!
While at REC, Hap Richards took Max under his wing and helped him gain skills as an electrician. Max started his own business, Max E Smith Electric. Continuing with the work ethics he learned while growing up, doing electrical work on weeknights (after a full day at REC) and weekends became his norm. Even after retiring from REC, he continued with Max E Smith Electric. His helpers along the way included Steve Lowman and Cale Hainline. Max thoroughly enjoyed mentoring new electricians and was proud to sell the business to Cale 13 years after his so called "retirement."
Max and Joyce had four children: Lesa Michelle, Jeffrey Todd, Sherri Lynn, and Sheila Ann. All graduated from Mount Ayr High School. Max was very proud that all four had a college education. The Smiths were always active in community activities. Max was a part of the Jaycees in the sixties and served in many capacities in the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church. A proud member of Freemasons Faith Lodge #179, Max had the honor of serving his turn as Worshipful Master and kept his membership in Masonic Lodge current until his death.
While their kids were young, Max and Joyce enjoyed traveling in and around Iowa on their vacations and took trips to Colorado, the Black Hills and Lake of the Ozarks. As the kids grew and grandkids arrived, they explored and spent time in Colorado, Washington and Arizona. They also enjoyed bus trips around the country hosted by the Ringgold County Senior Center. Joyce died in 2019 after battling cancer. They had nearly 60 years of marriage and countless memories of special times spent with their children and beloved grandchildren.
Retirement gave Max time to enjoy his favorite hobby: riding a motorcycle. He had a Harley-Davidson for a while, followed by a brand-new Can-Am. He prized his new Can-Am and loved to show it off! His new routine after Joyce was gone included riding the Can-Am whenever he could, going to Bingo on Tuesdays and playing pitch on Wednesdays at the Senior Center, morning coffee at Glendenning's and occasionally coffee with the "Boys" at the Benton Community Center. Later, he started going to Creston on Thursdays to take an old friend to dinner.
In January 2023, Max and Sharon Glick were married at the United Methodist Church in Creston, Iowa. Max sold his house in Mount Ayr and moved to Creston with Sharon. He and Sharon enjoyed reminiscing about their past lives, their mutual friends, family connections and memories of days gone by. Rumors of Max and Sharon riding the Can-Am together have been confirmed by an eyewitness! Sharon's son, Kevin, gifted Max with what would become his final Can-Am ride this past Father's Day. What a smile it brought to his face!
One of the greatest memories for Max was the birthday celebration on his 80th birthday. All his children, many grandchildren, and extended family members gathered for an open house. He was thrilled to spend time over several days with family and friends. It was a truly joyous milestone in his life, and when asked what he would like to say to everybody in his thank you note for the party he responded, "Let's do it again in 10 years!" His spirit was willing, but his body just couldn't keep up. Max closed his eyes for the last time and died peacefully on September 12, 2025.
Preceding him in death were his parents Mansel and Wonda (Boles) Smith; parents in-law Albert and Eva (Waddell) Deemer; wife Sharon Glick (2025) and first wife Joyce (2019); brothers-in-law Laverne (Neil) Kidney, Neal Kaus, Charles MacDonald and Kenny Johnson; sisters-in-law Laverne (Dee) Kaus, Lois Johnson; son-in-law Randy Seynaeve.
Max is survived by son Jeff (Tammy) Smith; daughters Lesa (Rick) Klouda, Sherri Seynaeve, Sheila (Tony) Perreault; step-son Kevin (Debbie) Glick; grandchildren Kiley (Ryan) Gerhardy, Chad (Katelyn) Rouse, Tanner Smith, Emily (Alan) Chelnitsky, Joshua (Emma) Seynaeve, Benjamin Le, Alexander Le, Elijah Le; eight great-grandchildren; many step-grandchildren and their families; sister Kay MacDonald; sister-in-law Pamela Heckathorn; Kenny's beloved Peg Hayter; nephew Ian (Laura) MacDonald and family; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Max's family was the love of his life. He looked forward to the updates he often received and loved watching the grandchildren grow. He will be missed immensely.
A memorial fund has been established for CTE Academy, Mt. Ayr Community School.