Funeral services for William Smithhart will be at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024 at First Baptist Church, Indianola. There will be a visitation from 2:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Indianola City Cemetery.
Born December 28, 1929, to William Isaac Smithhart and Delma McKee Smithhart of Indianola.
He graduated from Indianola High School and attended Sunflower Jr. College before beginning his career at the Indianola Post Office. Shortly afterwards he began his 3-yearservice with the National Guard that included a 9-month tour with the Seventh Infantry division in Korea where he received two Battle Stars along with a Bronze Service Star recognizing his service during the war along with a pair of Silver Stars for his participation in two battles. After the war he returned to the Post Office where he worked for 38 years.
On May 31, 1959, he met and married the love of his life, Annelle Ertle Smithhart. They have two children, Will Smithhart (Jeane), Mollie Reed (Noel), four grandchildren, Elizabeth Hust (Bo), Bennett Smithhart (Emily), Noel Reed and Ike Reed with four great grandchildren, Oliver, Ella Grace, Lily and Kenny.
He has been a lifetime member of First Baptist Church, Indianola being a member of the Chapel Sunday School class including service as an usher for many years.
Pop, as he was affectionally known in our family, was our fixit Dad. He was always the one to fix things. He loved us and taught us and cared for us. He was of the generation that if you needed something, you built it. His children and especially his grandchildren were the benefactors of amazingly crafted award-winning Pinewood Derby cars, trucks, trailers, tractors and figurines even walking stilts that were a hit among the grands. For Annelle, family and friends he used his exceptional talent to create masterful carvings that he loved to share with others. They are a treasure to our family – heirlooms to be passed down.
Post retirement he and Annelle were common faces at the election poles where they both enjoyed serving. In their spare time they loved taking those cross country bus tours.
Although they moved from their beloved Indianola to live closer to family, their hearts remained with First Baptist Church and the mission it serves – is the place they will forever call home.