Marion Elzworth "Elza" Smith

Marion Elzworth "Elza" Smith, 87, Nevada, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at Moore-Few Care Center, in Nevada. He was born March 1, 1926, in Milford, Mo., to James Benjamin Smith and Mary Alma Bridgewater Smith. He married Opal H. Shafer on Oct. 19, 1946, in El Dorado, Kan., and she preceded him in death on Jan. 17, 2008.

Elza was raised in the Barton and Vernon County areas. He attended the Milo School system. Elza worked for the Nevada State Hospital Dairy Barn. He later worked for the Missouri State Highway Department for 35 years. Elza had his own lawn mowing business for 28 years and lived in Nevada all of his adult life.

Survivors include two sons, Gary Smith and his wife, Ida, Lamar, Mo., and Loyd Smith, Joplin, Mo.; two daughters, Dorothy Mundy and her husband, Al, Sheldon, Mo., and Rosalyn Beard, Nevada; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one sister, Pauline Yeats, Nevada; several nieces, nephews, cousins; and his special friend, Linda Cole, Nevada. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and one brother, Cecil L. Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, June 10, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with the Rev. Dennis Painter officiating. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends from 5-6 p.m., Sunday, June 9, at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com