Frank Warren Smith was born May 31, 1924, at Hopkinton, Iowa.  He was the son of Bert A. and Frances Matheson Smith and middle child of 12 siblings.  He went to school and participated in baseball and basketball, graduating from High School in 1941. He and his brothers spent a lot of time in the gymnasium at the school where their mother was the head cook!   He also attended the Methodist Church in Hopkinton with his family, After High school, he went to California and worked in Los Angeles at US Electrical Motors.

When WWII started, Frank  was drafted and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 17, 1943.  Then deployed, he served as a communication linesman in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, fighting on Roi and Namur islands and on Saipan where he was wounded in action. He was returned to combat and participated in the landing and capture of Tinian in the Marshall Islands.  Franks final battle was on the island of Iwo Jima, where he was wounded again, and he observed the flag raising on Mount Suribachi.  At the conclusion of this battle, Frank was evacuated back to the US Naval Hospital in Idaho where he spent 6 months in recovery from his wounds, before being discharged in Nov. 1945. He was awarded 2 purple hearts.

After the war, Frank returned home to Hopkinton where he married Ruth Glanz in 1950 and 2 daughters, Kathy and Diane, were born.  She would precede him in death on August 20, 1960. They attended the First Presbyterian Church in Hopkinton and raised their daughters there.  Frank worked for the United States Post office for 25 years as a rural mail carrier in the Hopkinton/Buck Creek area, where he befriended many farm families!   In the afternoons, he operated Smith Plumbing and Heating, remodeled homes and buildings and constructed four houses in Hopkinton.  He loved his community!  He served in the Lions Club and the area Veterans organization, put heating plants in churches, and helped with the development of the War Memorial at the entrance of the Hopkinton Cemetery on Hwy 38.  After retirement, Frank enjoyed coffee at Java Jones, going to auctions & and following the Jim Busta Band. raising melons for Farmers Markets, driving his truck through the farmland, riding his scooter and visiting with EVERYONE!  He later moved to Monticello where he lived at Riverside Apt. for 11 years, 4 years at Pennington Asst. Living and 4 months at Harmony Waterloo. For several years, he attended the First Presbyterian Church in Monticello where the congregation faithfully prayed for him in his final days!  Frank left this world on Sept.23, 2024, when in faith, he responded to the Lord's call to his heavenly home; His room was ready! He was thankful and grateful for everyone who cared for him as his health declined.

Frank is survived by two daughters, Diane Mescall of Waterloo and Kathy (Daryl) Morgan of Waterloo and his granddaughter, Erin (Troy)Sutherland, Jeffersonville, Ind. and their children, Evan 13, Avery 10, Olive 7, a grandson Daniel (Ashley) Morgan, Waterloo and their children Liam 12 and Rayna 10.  He will be greatly missed and remembered for his service to his country and the example of a generous spirit, his kindness and the stories and laughter he brought to his family and friends!

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 Tuesday morning, October 1, 2024 at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello with interment in the Hopkinton Cemetery with Military Honors.  Pastor Bill Warhover officiated at the services.  Friends may call after 9:00 Tuesday morning at the funeral home.  Thoughts, Memories and Condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.