Herbert M. Smith, 95, of Fort Dodge, died Thursday, June 21, 2012, at the Marian Home.
The service honoring Herb's life will be 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 1 at Trinity United Methodist Church. Masonic services will be presented by Ashlar Lodge #111 and military honors will be presented by V.F.W. Post No. 1856 and the Iowa Army National Guard. There will be no visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Herbert is survived by his daughter Rebecca Gibbs, Rolla, Missouri; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; twin brother Howard (Marg) Smith, Fairbank, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; and special friends Pat Glaser and Dr. Brad Messerly. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirlee, his brother Dighton Smith, and his parents.
Herbert Merle Smith, the son of Seneca W. and Marion P. (Packard) Smith, was born May 21, 1917 in Fort Dodge. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1936. Herb enlisted in the Canadian Air Force prior to the United States entering WWII. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945 as a fighter pilot and flew 52 missions in the Pacific Theatre, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Defense Medal. On June 2, 1946, Herb was united in marriage to Shirlee E. Clawson in Fort Dodge. The couple lived in Fort Dodge where he operated Repro Arts, a photo engraving company which he co-owned with his brother Howard. In 1956 the company was purchased by The Messenger and Herb worked for The Messenger until 1969 when he joined Joselyn Press. He retired in 1987.
Herb was a member of Ashlar Lodge #111 and York Rite Bodies, both of Fort Dodge, and Scottish Rite Bodies of Des Moines. He was an active member of the Shriners and achieved the highest honor of 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. Herb moved to the Marian Village in 2007. He was a member of the United Methodist Church.