Donald "Don" Leroy Smith

Donald “Don” Leroy Smith, 84, of Wamego, Kansas passed away peacefully Saturday, October 8, 2011 at Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center in Wamego. Don was born August 1, 1927 in Ford, Kansas, the son of Frank and Mary (Arndt) Smith. After graduating from Ford High School, he served as a sergeant in the 413th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Co. stationed in Europe during the Korean War. In 1954, Don married Rosie Arlene Vandine of Cimarron, Kansas. She survives of Wamego. Don worked for 10 years in Wichita, Kansas as a US Department of Agriculture grain inspector. After developing wheat asthma, he returned to school at Emporia State Teachers College in 1968 and received a BS in Business Administration. He then resumed working for the Department of Agriculture as a grain market news reporter in Kansas City and Des Moines, Iowa until his retirement. After moving to Wamego, he worked part time for Farm Bureau Insurance in Manhattan, Kansas. Don and Arlene became well known as basket weavers, exhibiting their work in regional art fairs and galleries. Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Arlene; his two sons: Micheal L. Smith and Brian C. Smith and wife Sharon all from Kansas City; one brother: Harry Smith of Columbus, Ohio; and two grandchildren: Sarah and Matthew Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents. Cremation has taken affect. A memorial service for Mr. Smith will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at the Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center, located at 2011 Grandview Dr., in Wamego. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Grace Hospice of Topeka, Kansas and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, P.O. Box 48, 66547.