Edward M. Smith

Edward M. Smith 90, died Saturday March 18, 2017 at Via Christi Villages Cornerstone in Wichita, Kansas.  He was born July 15, 1926 in Belle Plaine, Kansas to Darrell J. (Ted) and Elsie Mae (Worden) Smith.  On December 30, 1949 he married Vada P. Kocher in Independence, Kansas and she survives of the home.

Edward served his country during WW II in Japan. He was retired from the Santa Fe Railroad as a dispatcher.  Edward enjoyed being outside and enjoying nature, he had a love of hunting and in his later years fishing.  He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.  Edward had a love of his family and looked forward to spending time with his loving family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Vada of the home; son Dale (Sandy Irby) Smith of Newton, KS; daughter Karen (Lonnie) Kliewer of Wichita, KS. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Edward is preceded in death by his parents and one sister Wilma D. Atkeson.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday evening at Petersen Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be in the Restlawn Gardens of Memory in Newton.

Memorials are suggested to the National Rifle Association in care of Petersen Funeral Home.