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Matthew Charles Smith, 79

Matthew Charles Smith, 79, of Green Mountain, surrounded by his loving family, went home to his Lord on Sunday, June 18, 2017.

Funeral services for Matt will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 700 East Olive Street, Marshalltown, Iowa, 50158. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Matt and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to support children in need can be directed to either Jonathan’s House for Orphans (acts2collective.org), or to Child Abuse Prevention Services “CAPS” (capsonline.us).

Matt Smith was born on April 7, 1938, in rural Green Mountain to Marvin and Mabel (Spaid) Smith. He graduated from Green Mountain High School in 1956. On June 30, 1956, Matt was united in marriage to Judy Nolta in Marshalltown.

Faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of Matt’s life. At age 36, he heard the salvation story at a local Lay Witness Mission, and devoted his life to the Lord. Matt actively participated in Mission teams at churches throughout the Midwest for most of his life. In recent years, he has treasured being a part of the worship community at Green Mountain United Church of Christ. Matt felt called to advocate for the needs of children, and was a board member for Child Abuse Protection Services for many years.

A lifelong farmer, Matt was semi-retired. He had a passion for his work. He loved the dark, rich Iowan farm land, a well-planted and cared for field and the beauty of a restored barn. A member of the Iowa Barn Foundation, the Smith’s hosted barn tours and participated in tours throughout the state. In recent years, Matt turned his gifted eye for detail and all things mechanical to car restoration, and enjoyed participating in the Marshalltown Area Restorers Club (current President) and the Air Flow Club of America.

Matt was blessed with a large and loving family. He is survived by his loving wife and partner of almost 61 years, Judy. Children: Steve (Lori Francis) Smith, of rural Marshalltown, Dennis (Kelly) Smith, of Green Mountain, Brenda (Stan Saunders) Smith, of Atlanta, Georgia, Robert (Marlys) Smith, of Green Mountain, Boni (Bret) Schultz, of Nicholasville, Kentucky, and Ruth Smith, of Iowa City. Grandchildren: Ben (Shauna) Smith, Madelyn (Joe) Adams, Alan Smith, Emily (Michael) Daniels, William Smith, Matt Smith III, Natalie Smith, Sophia Schultz, Emma Schultz, Harper Schultz, Eliza Smith, Olivia Smith, Carson Smith-Saunders, and Aja Smith-Saunders. Great grandchildren: Brooklyn and Brett Smith. Brothers: Ken (Fran) Smith and Gerald (JoAnn) Smith. He is also survived by his long-time friends, Gilbert Lair and Lora Smaha, whom he loved and cherished as family.

Matt is preceded in death by his parents Marvin and Mabel, siblings George Smith and Ruby (Chuck) Naylor, and his dear aunt and uncle Esther and Kermit Smith.

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