Richard L. ?Swede? Smothers

KEOTA ? Richard L. ?Swede? Smothers, 79, of Keota, died Friday, Sept 18, 2009, in Maplewood Manor in Keota.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, with the Rev. Dennis Hopes officiating. Burial was at Keota Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Compassus Hospice or the Keota Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Smothers was born May 24, 1930, near Wellman, the son of Emmett and Laura (Cox) Smothers. He married Marilyn Jeanne Henderson on May 5, 1951, at the United Methodist Church in Keota.

He graduated from North English High School. He served in the Army Air Force from 1949 until 1952. He and his wife made their home in Keota where he delivered and applied agricultural products for several businesses in the Keota area. He was a member of the American Legion and served on the Keota Volunteer Fire Department for several years. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and enjoyed mushroom hunting, being out in nature, taking the old Model A fire truck to parades, and spending time with his family.

Surviving are 10 children, Brad Smothers and wife Marilyn of Riverside, Greg Smothers and wife Holly of Jefferson City, Mo., Jeff Smothers and wife Marilyn of Washington, Joni Redlinger and husband Denny of Keota, Jerry Smothers and wife Liz of Solon, Lori Smothers and friend Karol Brenneman of Wellman, Deb Smothers and friend Stephanie Stead of Phoenix, Ariz., Bonnie Black and husband Brad of Sigourney, Mary Ollinger and husband John of Keota, and Bill Smothers and wife Amanda of Sigourney; 23 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Clifford Smothers of Millersburg; two sisters, Louise Lockridge of North English, and Joann Davidson of Dubuque.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 2002; one daughter, Rebecca Lynn; one grandson; and three brothers, Gerald Smothers, Dale Smothers, and Arnold Smothers.