Ernest “Junior” Smith, age 91, passed away peacefully at home on July 23, 2025, in Independence, Kansas embraced by his wife and family. Born to Ernest and Elizabeth (Heck) Smith on July 24, 1933. Junior was a treasured member of the Independence, Kansas community, where he resided. His journey began in Neosho County, attending a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Parsons High School. He was a talented machinist by trade, a skilled worker at the Warburton Valve Shop, Coffeyville, KS, before starting a successful business, Independence Valve. An “artisan by trade” creating items by hand, with a focus on quality, detail, and designs using his own lathe. He would help friends and local farmers with repairs and creating parts, to get the farmer back in the field. Always fair and honest in his dealings, often not charging anything. His creativity extended far beyond his professional life, manifesting in a multitude of hobbies that defined him just as much as his work. Junior also helped local farmer/ranchers with butchering of hogs and cattle. His set fee was $3 for hogs and $5 for cattle.
Fishing, fur trapping, quail and deer hunting, farming, and gardening —- these were just a few of the ways Junior connected with the world around him. His love for nature led him to unforgettable elk hunting adventures in Colorado with his dear friend Howard Overfield since 1975. His green thumb was legendary, and he took great pride in growing watermelons, cantaloupes, and tomatoes that he sold locally, bringing joy to his community with each ripe, juicy bite. His creative spirit led him to handcraft hundreds of deer antler knives, which he shipped nationwide and even as far as Russia.
Junior’s love story began on December 14, 1956, when he married the love of his life, Dorothy Shoaf, at the First Assembly of God Church in Parsons, Kansas. The couple made their home in rural Independence, Kansas. Their bond was one of deep love and mutual respect, which set a wonderful example for their daughters. To Junior, family was the heart of everything, the core that gave meaning to his existence.
Surviving to cherish his memory is his wife of 68 years, Dorothy Smith of the home; daughters, Janet Davidson of Independence, Kansas, Sharon Melander of Havana, Kansas, Linda Raggio and Bobby Hendricks of Adair, Oklahoma, Donna Bird and husband David of Independence, Kansas; grandchildren, Lea (Stephen) Sprague, Jeff Davidson, Sara (Mike) Owens, Mikelynn (Jeff) Allen, Kay (Bryan) Kelly, Mikel “Gus” Melander, Karlie Melander, Kit Bird and Tye Bird; eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and one due in October 2025; along with one niece and four nephews. Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Elizabeth Smith, a sister, Mary Mae Lockwood and his granddaughter, Kandra Bird.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 27th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 28th at 10:00 am at the Wayside Christian Church, Wayside, Kansas. Pastor’s Don Elliott and Jerry Davidson will officiate. Burial will follow at the Harrisonville Cemetery, Bolton Township in Montgomery County.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Wayside Christian Church. These memorials may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. To share your memories of Junior and upload photos to his memorial page, visit www.dwbfh.com
