Obituary of Harold Vincent Smith

Harold Vincent “H.V.” “Smitty” Smith, age 90, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2015 at his home in Olsburg, Kansas. He was born on February 14, 1925 in Wetmore, Kansas, the son of Harold Orvil and Zena LaVerne (Sutherland) Smith. Following graduation from high school, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Evelyn Westling on September 2, 1944. They later divorced. On October 11, 1972 he was united in marriage to Marian Olson Burklund at the Olsburg Lutheran Church. She preceded him in death on September 16, 2015. During their 43 years of marriage H.V. and Marian enjoyed traveling and camping with family and friends. Their travels took them to 48 states. After their retirements they spent several winters in Texas, living in their camper. They also enjoyed many chartered bus tours. H.V. was a fireman for the Fort Riley Fire Department, retiring as Captain in 1980 and also served on the Olsburg Volunteer Fire Department. After his retirement from the fire department, he ran his own electrical company, MYCO Electric. He served on the Olsburg City Council and was mayor for several years. He was a member of the Olsburg American Legion Post 284 for 70 years and was currently the Commander, V.F.W. Post 7517 and the Olsburg Lutheran Church. He enjoyed camping, fishing, golf and was a wonderful cook. In addition to his wife Marian, he was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Christina Smith and one grandson, Christopher Parker. He is survived by four children, Roberta Parker and husband Gary of Junction City, Jim Smith and wife Dorie of Westmoreland, Jon Smith and wife Charlie of Tehachapi, California and Cindy Smith and Robert Staley of Onaga; four stepchildren, Kevin Burklund of Olsburg, Kirby Burklund and wife Shelly of Olsburg, Debbie Hagenmaier and husband Mike of Randolph and Kristi Fronce and husband Mark of Olsburg; three siblings, Keith Smith and wife Pearletta of Manhattan, LaVerne Vaughn of Springfield, Missouri and Jewel Goldman and husband Merlin of Hiawatha; 30 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and two great-grandchildren on the way. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the Olsburg Lutheran Church with Rev. Keith Wiens officiating. Respect calls may be made anytime Tuesday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday. Burial with military honors will be in the Olsburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Olsburg American Legion and left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.