Otis Merle Smith, Sr., 81, Moran, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at Allen County Hospital.
Otis was born Feb. 21, 1932, at Harding, Ark., the son of Randall and Hester (Loveall) Smith.
On Jan. 7, 1956, he married Ruth E. Williams in Nevada, Mo. They had four children and divorced in 1984.
He and Donna M. (Jackman) Gonzalez were married on Aug. 20, 1988, in Moran, where they made their home.
Over the years, Otis worked at farming, in the oil fields, for Hi-Lo in Chanute, and in a small engine repair shop.
He was a member of Hope Chapel, east of Moran. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, gardening, small engine repair, playing the guitar and Western movies.
He is survived by his wife, Donna M. Smith; four children, Randall L. Smith, Iola, Alzina Kress and husband John, Iola, Joe Smith and wife Anna, Clinton, Mo., and Mary E. Smith, Iola; four step-children, Lisa Long and husband Toby, Moran, Shelly Culbertson and husband Matt, Chanute, Josiah Gonzalez and wife Jenifer, Chanute, and Nicholas Gonzalez and wife Sarah, Humboldt; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren and one step-great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Skylee Mansseh Fishback, four brothers, Everett, Leroy, Alfred and David Smith, and a sister, Mabel Smith.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Hope Chapel. Burial will be at Moran Cemetery, Moran.
Memorial choice is Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs program through the Iola Police Department and may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel, Iola. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Otis Smith
