Dan Smith

Dan Smith

Solon

Dan Smith, 70, of Solon passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in his home. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday March 15, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon. Burial will be at the Oakland Cemetery in Solon.

Daniel was born on August 2, 1953, in Iowa City, the son of Vernon and Maxine (Kinney) Smith. Dan was the oldest of 7 children and he did his best to help raise them, but as Dan would say, “You can only do so much.” He was very active in his youth and that continued into his high school years. He was class president, band member, and FFA member. He played DE/TE for the Solon Spartan football team. Later, Dan would tell his daughters that he bled orange and black. Shortly after high school, Dan started to work for FJ Krob and began his volunteerism at the Solon Fire Department.

Dan served on the Solon Fire Department for over 40 years and retired as Chief.

Dan and Barb were united in marriage on October 27th, 1979. On that day, Dan and his two daughters, Sarah and Kristen, along with Barb and her daughter, Merrick Ham were united as a family. A little over a year later, their daughter Abbe was born to complete the family of six.

Dan was hired by the Iowa City Fire Department in 1987. Dan climbed the “Ladder” at the ICFD and was promoted to lieutenant and later to Battalion Chief in which he retired at that position in 2014. There were many special occasions and holidays spent with the ICFD family where great memories were made.

Dan and his brother Jeff along with a good friend started a deer hunting group. The group had grown over the years and there were some also big losses. Dan took pride with his hunting family and kept accurate and entertaining Deer Camp Journals. He hunted up until only recently when he was physically unable to do so anymore.

Dan enjoyed being with friends and family. There were many memories made over the years from Chetek to fire conventions to deer hunting to slow pitch softball. You could always stop at “The Porch” for a cold one and a good story. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him and we look forward to the day we can enjoy a good Kalona bar and PBR with him.

Dan is survived by his wife, Barb; daughters Sarah (Dave) Drea, Kristen Smith, Abbe (Jereme) Gravert; his grandchildren Kyle Drea, Madison Gravert, and Merrick Gravert; his siblings Theresa Mayhew, Sandy Willey, Jeff (Carmen) Smith, Patrick (Missy) Smith, Debbie (Neil) Behr, Sherry (Mike) Whetstone; brothers and sisters-in-law Steven (Verlee) Terwilliger, Penny (John) Barnts, and Joe(Christy) Barger, as well as his nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Merrick Ham, his nephew, Brett Smith, his niece, Kaitlyn Behr, brothers-in-law Rick Mayhew, Gary Willey, Mark Terwilliger. Also, his fur baby, Dabne.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com