Memorial
Virgil L. Smith, 94, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, August 5, 2024, at Hiawatha Care Center. Services will be held Friday, 11:00 am, August 9, 2024, at St Mark’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be 10:00-11:00 am, prior to the service at the Church. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Virgil L. Smith was born in Waterloo, Iowa, to Olaf L. Smith and Hulda Hilmer Smith on February 8, 1930. He married Norma L. Madden on February 11, 1950, at Trinity American Lutheran Church in Waterloo. They later moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They had two daughters, Gayle Kephart and Diana (Barry) Ash.
Virgil worked for 38 years at the Quaker Oats Company, 12 of those years he was on leave and went to work for the International Retail, Wholesale Department Store Union in 1979. He was a business agent for the Central States Council of the RWDSU for 15 years retiring in 1994, and devoting his time to taking care of his wife, Norma, until her passing in 1995. Virgil served as vice president of the RWDSU for 12 years, was past president of Local 110 RWDSU representing Quaker Oats. He was a past trustee of the Iowa Union Council, past president of the Quaker Union Council. He was a member of St. Marks United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids.
On July 7, 2007, at the age of 77, Virgil married Ann Jones. Together they traveled to Europe twice, went on cruises and visited Hawaii. They took many trips around the United States together. Virgil was a beloved grandfather who loved his grandchildren like his own. He made sure that he spent one-on-one time with each of them. He felt very blessed to have had so many years to know his great-grandchildren.
Virgil is survived by his wife, Ann, his daughters Gayle and Diana, his very special son in-law, Barry, his grandchildren, Mark (Kim) Ford and Jeff (Mandi) Ford, Heather Ash and Matthew (Kyla) Ash, his great grandchildren, Frankie, Tabitha and Amy Ford, Kayle and Nathaniel Ford, along with many nieces and nephews.
Virgil was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, his great grandson, Adam, his parents. brothers, Vaylord and Vernon, sisters, Berdella, Marva, Wynona, Leota, Ramona, Verona and Marvel, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the Hiawatha Care Center for the loving care they gave Virgil while he was there.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Disabled American Veterans, in honor of his father who served in WWI.