Herbert Wayne Smelser

Herbert Wayne Smelser, 88, of Independence, MO passed away Monday, September 29, 2003. A graveside service will be 10 am Wednesday, October 1st at Mound Grove Cemetery. Wayne was born September 1, 1915 in Racetrack, MT, and his family moved to Independence in 1927. He was a 1933 graduate of William Chrisman High School, and graduated from the University of Missouri with Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in Chemistry. He was joined in marriage to
Velva Ione Trowbridge April 20, 1940. Wayne held the offices of Priest, Elder, and High Priest in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served as pastor of four congregations of the Church as well as President of the Springfield Missouri
District. He worked for Western Electric Company for 36 years and rose to the position of Director of Purchasing. He served as a consultant to Governor Daniel Evans of Washington state, Governor Ronald Reagan of California. Wayne is survived by his wife Velva Smelser; sons, Donald Smelser of Aiken, SC, and Robert Smelser of Stafford, TX; daughter, Janet Weigand of Parkville, MO; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; sister, Wilma McKeehen of Sugarland, TX