Memorial services for Delmar Dean Smith, 86, of Davenport, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. Family will greet friends on Saturday from 9 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. Del passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at Trinity UnityPoint, Bettendorf.
Del was born on Dec. 4, 1937, in Lexington, Ill., the son of Pollen and Julia (Myers) Smith. He married Margaret Kelley in January of 1958 in Anchor, Ill., and later divorced. They had four children.
Del was a schoolteacher and coach who transitioned to a full-time painting contractor. He owned Smith Painting in Davenport. He wrapped-up his final paint job in November of 2023 at the age of 85. He was a member of the Center for Active Seniors. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, sports, reading, studying health and nutrition, keeping busy and competing in the Senior Olympics.
He attended Illinois State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business, and later a master’s degree in counseling. He also attended Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he received two degrees in theology and became an ordained minister.
Survivors include his children, Marty (Doris) Smith of Burnsville, Minn., Lou Ann (Rick) Johnson of Orion, Ill., Debi (Mark) Stewart of Gilbert, Ariz., Mary (Jeff) Rivers of Apache Junction, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers Robert (Jane) Smith of Oroville, Calif., and Garry Smith of Bloomington, Ill.; and sister Jean (Edward) Snodgrass of Pittsburgh, Pa.
He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Dale Smith.
Memorials may be directed to The Nature Conservancy.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.
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