Glen Hiram Smith

A memorial for Glen Hiram Smith, 86, a lifetime Yerington resident, will be 11 a.m. Friday at the Smith Valley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tom Walburn officiating.

Mr. Smith died Jan. 26, 2007, at his residence. He was born Nov. 19, 1920, to Chester and Lola Smith in Yerington.

He married Barbara "Bobbie" Joyce Carlson in July 1950.

He attended Simpson Grammar School and Smith Valley High School, graduating in 1938. Smith went to Chicago to learn how to make television sets, but returned home when asked to sell them. He worked at a grocery distributor in Reno and spent a short time in Oakland, Calif., while staying with an aunt and uncle.

Smith joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in June 1942, learning to fly in Southern California and Arizona. He began active duty in December 1943, and flew with his squadron to England, where he flew paratroopers, gliders and supply missions into Europe.

Smith spent most of his life farming, raising livestock and raising his family on the ranch in Smith Valley.

He was active in the Simpson Colony Ditch Co., Smith Valley Fire Department, its school board, Soil Conservation Service, ASCS, Nevada Hay Growers Association, Lyon County Planning Board and Board of Equalization, state Energy Advisory Board, and the Smith Valley Rotary Club.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Earl and Duane and sister, Betty Werner.

Among his survivors are his wife of 56 years; sons and daughters-in-law Dan and Shawna Smith and Jim and Tina Smith, all of Wellington; six grandchildren; brother Bill and sister-in-law Jan Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Smith Valley Rotary Club, P.O. Box 357, Wellington, NV 89444.

Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.