Hersel Wayne Smith
April 29, 1931 - September 15, 2017

Hersel Wayne Smith, 86, passed away Friday, September 15, 2017, at Trinity at Luther Park in Des Moines, IA. Services will be held 10 am Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at the Community Center at Trinity. Burial will follow at Clearfield Cemetery in Clearfield, Iowa, at 2 pm.

He was born April 29, 1931, in Des Moines, IA, to Hersel and Elsie (Gibson) Smith. He married Karen Payne on October 1, 1972, in Des Moines, IA.

Hersel worked for the Des Moines Police Department as a Police Officer for 23 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of East Gate Lodge #630 and the Walnut Hills Methodist Church.

Fishing was Hersel’s #1 love outside of family, he fished wherever and whenever he could. Whether it was a pond, lake, river, or a puddle in the United States or Australia, if there might be fish, he was there. He was, however, known to get lures stuck in his earlobe. Hersel loved riding his scooter and driving sports cars. He loved to spend money on those things he considered to be the finer “necessities” in life. Traveling around the world with his family was a favorite pastime. More locally, he loved to camp with his kids and grandkids around the US. Hersel enjoyed showing his appreciation to his family at Trinity by providing them with special meals several times a year. 

He may have done a lot of interesting things in his life, but most of all he loved his wife, his kids, his grandkids, and all the dogs he ever had. Even though he could be very trying at times, he was a generous, loving, and giving man.

Hersel is survived by his wife, Karen Smith; daughters, Pam Mosbaugh of Marion, IA, Rhonda (Michael) Duchesneau of Davenport, IA, and Lisa (David) Reed of Marion, IA; son, Todd Smith of Sacramento, CA; sister, Lola Angell of Burlington, IA; brother, Ronald Smith of Des Moines, IA; and his good friend, Pavel. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Monday, September 18, 2017, at Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines. Contributions may be made to the family.

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