Obituary of Frank Dan Smith

Funeral Services for Frankie Dan Smith of Elsberry, MO, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Richard Turnbull of Winfield, MO, will officiate with burial in Elsberry City Cemetery near Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers will be Shane Early, Robin Di Enno, Ralph Di Enno, Kenny brown, Glenn Bartlett and Steve Hassell. Frank, 70, passed away Saturday morning, January 19, 2013 at St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield, MO, surrounded by devoted family members. Frank was born February 28, 1942 in Kennett, MO, the youngest of five siblings born to Clarence J. and Ruth Etta (Brown) Smith. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to St. Louis, MO where he attended school, graduating from O'Fallon Technical High School in 1961. He enlisted in the Active Navy reserve in 1959 while still in high school and entered active duty in July of 1961. On August 1, 1961 in St. Louis, he was united in marriage to Betty Sue Brown, formerly of Piedmont, MO. They were the parents of three sons. After being released from active duty in July of 1963, Frank found employment at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis, where he was employed until his retirement on July 31, 1997. During his years there he made many friends and bowled on the bowling team there from 1964 until several years after his retirement. Many of those years his team took first place in the league and were first place champions in all McDonnell Douglas leagues several times. Frank's other interests were hunting and fishing, shooting pool, golf and especially car racing. His greatest enjoyment in sports was to load his 23-T Bucket on the trailer, drive to MAR racetrack and drag race all day. He received many trophies and awards of excellence through the years. Frank also loved motorcycles. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; two sons: one as a stillborn and Ronald Alan Smith; two sisters: Shirley Baird and Jean Di Enno; one brother, Harold Smith; and two nephews: Steven Smith and Rick Di Enno. He is survived by his wife, Betty Smith; one son, Terry Smith; and one grandson, Mark Alan Smith, who was raised in the home of his grandparents. He also leaves two great-granddaughters: Lorelei and Chloe Smith; one brother, Benny Smith and his wife, Rita, of St. Louis; several nieces and nephews along with their families who were very dear to him, and a host of other in-laws and friends. He will be sadly missed. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Life and Hope Fund at St. Luke's Hospital in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home; 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.