Smith, Rhoda Unruh (1901-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Feb 21 p. 1

Birth date: 1901

text of obituary:

SERVICES AT HALSTEAD FOR VICTIM OF CAR-TRAIN COLLISION

Halstead, Kans. — Funeral services are to be held at the Grace Mennonite church west of here Sunday afternoon at 2:00 for Mrs. Ike Smith, 50, who was killed in a car-train crash at Hutchinson Monday, Feb. 18.

The car, driven by Mr. Smith, was struck by a freight train at the Rock Island crossing on East Fourth street. Mrs. Smith was thrown more than 40 feet and passed away in a hospital a short time later. Mr. Smith was also thrown from the car and seriously injured, but is recovering.

Surviving in addition to the husband are two sons, Jacob of Walnut Hill, Fla. and Ellis of Burns; and her mother, Mrs. Fred Unruh of the Bethel home, Montezuma.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Mar 6 p. 8

text of obituary:

RS. IKE SMITH

Rhoda Smith, daughter of Fred and Lena Unruh, was born at Hesston, Kansas on August 27, 1901, and passed away at the Grace hospital in Hutchinson on February 18, 1952 at 9:40 o’clock, having reached the age of 50 years, five months and 22 days.

At the age of 16 years, she realized her need of a Saviour and became converted and was baptized upon her confession of faith, joining the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on April 15, 1918. She remained loyal to her church to the end.

On February 13, 1921, she was joined in marriage to Ike Smith, with whom she shared joys and sorrows for 31 years. This union was blessed with two sons. She was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, and grandmother, having a deep concern for the welfare of her loved ones.

On Monday morning she and her husband left their home where they have lived for many years and on their way to Hutchinson as they were crossing the Rock Island railroad tracks, they were hit by a freight train. She was fatally injured and was taken to the Grace hospital where she passed away, going on to meet her Saviour whom she loved and served.

She leaves to mourn her unexpected passing her deeply bereaved husband, Ike Smith, the children, Jake and wife Eunice of Walnut Hill, Florida, Ellis and wife Fern of Burns, Kansas, three grandchildren, her mother, two brothers, and two sisters and many other relatives and friends. Two daughters, her father, and three brothers preceded her in death.

Funeral services for Mrs. Smith were conducted on Sunday afternoon, February 24, 1952, at two o’clock, from the Grace Mennonite church of Halstead. Rev. Carl Dirks and Rev. Norman Eicher were the officiating clergymen. Rev. Albert Unruh of Montezuma, Kansas also assisted in the services. The church choir sang “Beyond The Sunset” in the home and their numbers in church included “The Last Mile of the Way,” “Farther Along,” “No Tears in Heaven,” and “Shall We Gather at the River.”

The casket bearers were Clarence Koehn, Jonas Buller, Albert Koehn, Rueben Koehn, Mose Unruh, and Irvin Decker. She was laid to rest in the Halstead cemetery with the Kaufman funeral home in charge of arrangements.