Obituaries

Charles (Chuck) Smith was born in 1940 to Bridget (Nolan) Smith and Lawrence Smith in Goodell, IA. He graduated from St. Cecelia’s Catholic School in Algona, Iowa in 1958. Chuck then served in the US Navy from 1959-1963 aboard the USS Lexington and the USS Essex. Chuck loved his time spent in the Navy with his brother Joe. They had many entertaining stories about their travels around the world and Chuck was rarely without his USS Lexington ball cap. After being Honorably Discharged, he worked for North Central Public Service (MidAmerican Energy) and retired after 32 years. He then worked for Dallas County Hospital in Perry for another 10 years. He married Myrna Mino on July 16, 1966 and they were married for 53 years. He was the father of 6 children: April, Lynda, Charles Jr., Toni, Steve and Nick. Chuck loved his kids and watching all the activities they participated in. He spent many a summer rotating between softball/baseball fields, watching his five kids play. Many more summer nights were spent going to the drive-in theater. Winters were spent watching basketball, volleyball and wrestling at Perry High School. When not watching his kids play sports, he could be found watching wrestling, boxing and any kind of auto racing. He took lots of pride in his kids’ graduating college, having successful careers and being good parents. He was the proud grandfather to Connor, Seth, Kiley, Aubrey and Ella. He worked hard and provided for his family with everything they needed. He set a great work ethic example for his kids. Chuck never met an appliance he couldn’t fix or a home repair he wouldn’t tackle. He enjoyed puttering around the yard on his riding lawn mower. He could also be found at his kids’ houses helping out with home improvements, yard work and friendly reminders for checking oil, tire pressure and smoke alarms. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Noreen, Barb and Helen, brother Joe and three children Charles Jr., Lynda and Nick. He is survived by his wife Myrna, children April (Kirk) Wright, Toni Smith and Steve (Anna) Smith and grandchildren Connor, Seth, Kiley, Aubrey and Ella. Chuck passed away Friday, March 27, 2020 at Mercy One in Des Moines, IA at the age of 80. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2020 at St Patrick Catholic Church in Perry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 15, 2020 at St Patrick Catholic Church with burial to follow at Violet Hill Cemetery with Military Honors. Attendees are asked to follow CDC recommendations and social distancing guidelines. Memorials are being directed to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, American Heart Association and St Patrick Catholic Church. Murdock Funeral Home, Perry, IA, is in charge of arrangements.