Frank Junior Smith

Frank Junior Smith, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Lydia (Blohm) Smith, was born May 23, 1924, at his parents’ home in Exira Township near Brayton, Iowa and died March 14, 2017, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 92 years, 9 months, and 21 days.
Frank was baptized and confirmed on April 2, 1950, at the Oakhill Lutheran Church west of Brayton, Iowa. He attended rural school in Audubon Township and then helped operate the family farm. On August 20, 1943, he enlisted in the United State Marine Corp. During his tour of duty, he served as a tank mechanic in the Pacific Theater. He participated in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima, the Volcano Island, and participated in the Occupation of Japan. He was honorably discharged on May 18, 1946, and returned home to farm.
On December 18, 1949, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Marie Brown at the Oakhill Lutheran Church west of Brayton. They were blessed with four children: Diane, Jane, Michael, and Beth. They operated the family farm east of Brayton where they grew row crops and raised livestock until they retired. After he retired Frank still helped his son Michael farm. In 1986, they made their home in Brayton. Marilyn died April 7, 2010. Frank lived at his home until he moved to the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa in May of 2014.
Frank was a member of the Brayton Lutheran Church and had served on the church council. He was a member of the Brayton American Legion for over 70 years and also served on the Brayton Town City Council.
Preceding him in death was his wife Marilyn Smith; his son-in-law Earnie Janning; his parents; his brother Mack and wife Corrine Smith; and his sister Marguerite Johnson.
Survivors include his children: Diane Janning of Glidden, IA; Jane and husband Larry Faust of Omaha, NE; Michael and wife Susan Smith of Brayton; Beth and husband Rick Kostopoulos of Naperville, IL; his grandchildren: Shawn Janning of Glidden; Rahna and Randy Buschmann of Sioux City, IA; Stacy and Travis Aye of Carroll, IA; Jamey Janning of Glidden; Christopher Faust and David Faust, both of Omaha; Benjamin Smith of Des Moines, Iowa, Andrew Smith of Ames, Iowa, Joseph Smith of Des Moines, Iowa, Anna Smith of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Thomas Smith of Bondurant, Iowa, Adam Kostopoulos, Alec Kostopoulos, Matthew Kostopoulos, and Allison Kostopoulos, all of Naperville; his great-grandchildren: Keagin Buschmann, Kenton Buschmann, Kenleigh Buschmann, and Kennick Buschmann, all of Sioux City, Iowa; Hayden Aye and Elliot Aye, both of Carroll, Iowa; Gracie Foley, and Allie Foley, both of Glidden, Iowa; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Earl Brown of Amana, Iowa; Margery and Roy Middaugh of Glidden, Iowa; Everett and Louise Brown of Indianola, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Friday, March 17, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa. Interment will be in the Oakfield Cemetery east of Brayton, Iowa. Casket bearers will be: Christopher Faust, David Faust, Benjamin Smith, Andrew Smith, Shawn Janning, and Adam Kostopoulos. The family will meet with friends Thursday evening at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira and again Friday morning from 9:30 A.M. until time of the service at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton.