Obituary of Dale Smith

Dale L. Smith, age 86 of rural Unionville, Iowa, formerly of the Tiffin, Iowa City and Amana areas, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, August 20, 2020, after a lengthy illness at home and a short time in a care facility in Centerville, Iowa. Dale Smith was born February 9, 1934, in rural Johnson County, Iowa, the oldest of four children of Leland and Ruth (Malmberg) Smith. He graduated from City High School with the Class of 1951 and enlisted in the United States Army the following year. On October 14th of 1955 he married Virginia R. Madden. The couple moved to Verona, Italy while Dale served the last two years in active duty at the base in nearby Vicenza at the railroad station serving as a movement specialist and language interpreter. In 1958, with an honorable discharge and ranked SP3, Dale returned to the states with Virginia and infant daughter to make their home once again in the Johnson County area. Dale worked at Ken’s Hardware Store on Hwy 1 for a time, later Amana Refrigeration, and retired from Longview Fiber in Cedar Rapids. He and Virginia eventually moved to Appanoose County in southern Iowa where they carved out a farm which is still up and running. Surviving are his wife, Virginia, their daughter, Cindy and her husband, Todd Wehr; 3 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren, his sister, Darlene Kasper; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 younger brothers, Duaine and Darrell Smith. Services will be held at a later date. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com