V. Dale Smith

July 18, 1921--March 5, 2006

BENKELMAN -- V. Dale Smith, 84, died Sunday (March 5, 2006) at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman.

He was born July 18, 1921, on his family's farm north of Benkelman to Clarence Wilson and Velma (Stevens) Mullanix.

On Sept. 17, 1942, he married Ernestine Little of Benkelman. They moved north of Haigler in 1949, where they farmed for 10 years. They then moved to Haigler, where Dale was the custodian and bus driver for the Haigler Public School.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Velma Mullanix and Clarence Wilson; brother, LeRoy Smith; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lela and Arthur Little; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Harry Stamm, Clyde and Maxine Watters, and Ivil Pursley.

Survivors include his wife, Ernestine Smith of Benkelman; four daughters, Kay Hulse and husband, Gail of Great Bend, Kan., DeVonna Haines and husband, Stan of Benkelman, LaVern Schorzman and husband, Mick of Tucson, Ariz., Jackie Bachman and husband, Mike of Golden, Colo.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, June Stamm, Geraldine Lahman, Ned and Colleen Little, Joyce and Norman Vincent; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Services will be Thursday, 10:30 a.m., at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. George Matthews officiating. Interment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery.

There will be no visitation.

Memorials are being accepted in his name.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of arrangements.