Smith, Gilbert Michael, 76, retired Iowa Beef Processors butcher, passed away, Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Sedgwick Healthcare Center in Sedgwick, Kansas.

Gilbert was born September 20, 1934, on a farm several miles east of Douglass, Kansas to Carl and Bernadine (Ellis) Smith. He attended Dover School in the Douglass area. After the family moved to Wichita, he went to OK Elementary School, John Marshall Intermediate and graduated from North High in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army and spent part of his service time in Bordeaux, France. Gilbert owned and operated Smiths Mister AG in Lincolnville, Kansas, worked for the Excel Plant, Triple S Meats, Tweco Construction in Wichita, Vogt's IGA in Hillsboro, Fanestil Meats and retired from IBP both in Emporia.

Survivors include his sons Stephen (Raydene) Smith of Bel Aire, Kansas, Eldon (Kim) Smith of Lincolnville, David Smith of Dickinson, Texas and Bryan Smith, Snellville, Georgia; daughters Dianne (David) Smethers, Gardner, Kansas and Janice Smith of McKinney, Texas; sister Wilma (Richard) Balay, Denver, Colorado; 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Wayne and Grover Smith.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 19, from 5-7 p.m. and the funeral service Wednesday, April 20, at 1:30 p.m. both at the funeral home. Interment in High Plains Cemetery in Smileyberg following the service.

Memorials have been established with Sedgwick Healthcare Center or Hospice Care of Kansas or the Kansas Humane Society in care of the funeral home.

Dunsford Funeral Home & Crematory,
201 East Fifth Avenue, Augusta, Kansas, 316 775-6363, www.dunsfordfh.com