Wayne Edward Smith, 90, of Inman, KS, passed away at 6:47 p.m., Monday, October 19, peacefully, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, Kansas.
Wayne was born in Emporia, Kansas on January 20, 1930, a son of Ida Bernice (Bobst) and Wilbur James Smith, Sr.
Wayne attended Emporia grade school, Kansas City schools, and graduated from Washington High School, Kansas City, Kansas. He then attended Emporia State Teachers College, Emporia, Kansas where he got his teaching degree. Later he went back to school at Kansas University to get his masters degree .
He was a member of First United Methodist Church McPherson, KS.
He honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War
Wayne Edward Smith was united in marriage to Ann Kingsley White on July 20, 1963 at the Prairie Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1965 the couple moved to the White family farm. This union was blessed with the birth of two sons, Jeffrey and Michael.
Wayne was a math teacher and farmer. He taught math at Lawrence, Shawnee Mission, Sterling, and his last 26 years at Buhler High School, Buhler, Kansas.
Wayne was a member of NEA and KNEA. Wayne enjoyed his family, teaching, farming, arguing with family (a Smith tradition), and spending time with his grandkids and great-granddaughter.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 57 years, Ann Smith, of McPherson, Kansas; his sons, Jeffrey Smith and wife Holly, of Windom, Kansas and Michael Smith and wife Nancy, of Inman, Kansas; his brothers, David Smith and wife Terri, of Schenectady, New York, Paul Smith and wife Debera, of Shawnee, Kansas, Kenneth Smith and wife Denise, of Shawnee, Kansas, and Raymond Smith and wife Myrna, of Shawnee, Kansas; his sisters, Jerry Peden, of Shawnee, Kansas, Corinne Selph, of Longview, Texas, Sharon Smith, of Edwardsville, Kansas, and Gwen Henry and husband Chet, of Wheaton, Illinois; his seven grandchildren, Thomas, Emily, and Amber Smith, Steven Storm and wife Chastity, Mallorie Suffield and husband Braden, Megan Beck and husband Tucker, and Ethan Coon; his favorite great-granddaugther, Gracelynn Beck; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Ida Smith; his brother Wilber Smith Jr.; and sister Marlene Brandon.
Visitation will be held on Friday October 23, 2020 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Glidden - Ediger Chapel, McPherson. Masks requested.
The funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church, McPherson, Kansas, on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Phillip Clay and The Reverend Dr. Peter Henry officiating. Masks requested.
Burial will be at the North Inman Cemetery Inman, Kansas with military honors presented by members of the American Legion Post 24 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 both of McPherson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Hutchinson or the First United Methodist Church and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home; 222 W. Euclid St., McPherson, Ks. 67460.