Cecil "Gene" Smith 1925-2010

HAYSVILLE — Cecil “Gene” Smith, 84, of Haysville, died May 24 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita. He was born July 5, 1925, at Olmitz, the son of Ray Ross Smith Sr. and Edna Mae (Becker) Smith. A lifelong resident of Kansas, he was a self-taught television repairman. He was owner/operator of Gene Smith T.V. for 50-plus years.

Mr. Smith was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

He married Elizabeth Lorraine Keened[sic]. She passed away in 1952. He then married Norma Jean Bell on Nov. 5, 1953, in Great Bend. She passed away in 2005.

Survivors include three sons, Larry (Pam) Smith of Russell, Jimmy (Del) Smith of Wichita and Rodney (Sandy) Smith of Haysville; a daughter, Gayla Smith of Wichita; a brother, John Smith of Great Bend; a sister, Carolyn (Bernie) Schulz of Alabama and Arizona; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, one son, Donald, four brothers, Leo, Wayne, Ross and Wilmer, and three sisters, Maxine, Delfreda and Shirley.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Charter Funerals, Great Bend, with Elder John Smith as officiant. Interment will be at Great Bend City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Charter Funerals. Memorials may be made to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita, or Community Christian Church, Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by

Charter Funerals*
2115 Washington
Great Bend, KS 67530
620-793-6161
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, May 26, 2010