Ivan Dale Smith

Ivan Dale Smith was called to his eternal home on April 23, 2026, at the age of 94 years and 7 months. He will be laid to rest at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Creighton, Missouri, to await the glorious resurrection.

He was born October 3, 1931, in Urich, Missouri, the son of Frank and Lydia (Sites) Smith. As a child he was baptized in 1940 and later joined the Lutheran Church by Rite of Confirmation while stationed in Florida with the Air Force. He transferred his membership to Trinity Lutheran Church in Creighton, Missouri.

Dale graduated from Creighton High School in 1949. He attended Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, Missouri for one year. He then joined the Air Force in 1951 during the Korean War, serving four years. During his tour with the Air Force in St. John's Newfoundland, he was united in marriage to Dana V. Polzin in Creighton, Missouri on July 11, 1954.

Following his discharge from the Air Force in 1954, he returned to Central Missouri State to complete his degree in Accounting in 1957. He was then employed with Butler Manufacturing and later with Bendix Corp/Allied Signal for 34 years. He retired in 1993 as Manager of Plans and Budgets.

Dale transferred his membership to Messiah Lutheran Church in February 1960. He was active in the congregation serving as President, Financial Secretary, Board of Elders, and Board of Evangelism.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Donald and William Smith. He is survived by his wife, Dana, with whom he was blessed to share more than 70 1/2 years; two daughters, Debra (Joe) Rinella of Independence, Barbara (Buddy) Young of Lake Tapawingo; six grandchildren, Andy (Ashley) Strope, of Indianapolis, IN, Chris Rinella of Denver, CO, Marissa (Brad) Hamilton of Lakewood, CO, Jonathan Strope (and Wendy Lawson/fiancé) of Los Gatos, CA, Nick Strope of Kona, HI, and Kara (Kyle) Frayne of St. Louis, MO; three great-grandsons, Lincoln and Oliver Strope and Forest Hamilton; and one great-granddaughter, Aspen Hamilton.