Oliver Henry Smith, Jr.

Oliver Smith, 85, of Plattsmouth and formerly of Oshkosh, passed from this life Thursday, February 9, 2012 the Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday February 14, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Oshkosh with Pastor Ray Weinerman officiating. Burial will follow at the Ash Hollow Cemetery, next to his beloved wife, Patricia with Military Rites and Masonic Rites at the graveside.

Visitation will be held at the Holechek Funeral Home in Oshkosh on Monday from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to The Nebraska Masonic Home (1300 Avenue D, Plattsmouth, NE 68048) or the United Methodist Church in Oshkosh.

Roby Funeral Home in Plattsmouth and Holechek Funeral Home & Cremations in Oshkosh are serving the Smith family.

Oliver Henry Smith, Jr., was born on November 11, 1926, to Oliver Hemy Smith Sr. and Elizabeth (Hedlund) Smith, at Oshkosh, Nebraska and passed from this life on February 9, 2012 at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, having attained the age of 85 years, 2months, and 29 days.

Oliver was raised on the family farmalong with his sister, Betty Ann, south and west of Oshkosh.

He attended country school in rural Garden County, at District 56, then attended and graduated from High School at Chappell, Nebraska.

After graduating High School, Oliver farmed with his Father on the family farm.

On June 8, 1945, he was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fr. Logan Colorado. Oliver served a tour of duty in Cuba and was honorably discharged from the service on May 12, 1945 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.

After returning home and resuming farming, he met and later married, Patricia Louise Combs in September of 1953. To this union three children were born, Chery, Montgomery and Barry.

The Smiths lived on the family farm until 1968, when they moved into Oshkosh, where their children attended school.

While farming, Oliver also worked for the State of Nebraska, Public Service Commission, for some 35 years. The Smiths' also had purchased the S & S Motel, which was comprised of the motel, a gas station and a cafe which, they operated for 10 years.

In 1980, he and Patricia moved to Lake McConaghy, where they made their home.

Oliver continued to farm, but enjoyed lake life and fishing the on the lake.

Oliver was a member of Blue Lodge #2086 A.F. & F.M. and Eastern Star both of Oshkosh, NE.
With the untimely death of Patricia in 1984, Oliver continued to live at their lake home and farm in Garden County.

In 2000, Oliver retired and moved to Wichita, Kansas to be near his sons, Monty and Barry.

Oliver made his home in Wichita, until August of 2010, when he moved to The Nebraska Masonic Home at Plattsmouth Nebraska, due to failing health.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Oliver H. Sr. and Elizabeth Smith, his wife of 31 years, Patricia, and his sister, Betty Ann Schiel.

Among those who survive and gratefully shared his life are his daughter, Chery Lettin of Denver, CO, sons Monty Smith of Wichita, KS, Barry Smith and his wife Cindy of Lincoln, NE, grandchildren, Amber Reese, Joseph Reese, Barry Smith Jr., Joseph Smith, Mitchell Smith, Emily Smith; great grandchildren, Troy Smith and Mia Smith, plus a host of relatives and friends.

The organist is, Cindy Miller, soloist is Julie Jorgensen. Pallbearers are, Amber Reese, Joseph Reese, Kurt Schiel, Ron Schiel, Lt. Barry Smith Jr., and Joseph Smith. Honorary pallbearers are, Glen McCormick, Jack Nerud, and William Olson.