Ernest Eli "Ernie" Smith, the son of Aaron and Asia (Hite) Smith was born December 21, 1917, in Red Oak, Iowa. He passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society, Villisca, Iowa, the age of 103 years, 2 months and 19 days.

Ernie grew up in the Morton Mills area and attended country school. The family moved to rural Red Oak when he was in the 8th grade. On June 11, 1938, Ernie was united in marriage to Leila Larkin in Albany, Missouri. Ernie worked at the Martin bomber plant before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1945. He was honorably discharged at the end of WW II. After coming back to Red Oak, in 1947, Ernie began working for a beer distributor by driving a Budweiser truck. He worked for Fred Seeman and Ron Anderson, before retiring in 1982, after 35 years of service. To say Ernie loved flying was an understatement. On April 13, 2016, he was awarded the Guinness World Record for being the oldest active pilot, having his license at that time 67 years. He received the Wright Brothers certificate for being licensed 50 years. Ernie was a musical person having played drums with his brothers in a band. He later loved playing the guitar sitting on his patio watching planes fly over. He also enjoyed gardening. The Red Oak Airport was his second home; he loved spending time with the crew and giving hundreds of people their first airplane ride. Ernie was able to live in his home to almost age 100 because of his great neighbors, Tom and Sue Woodin who assisted him in many ways.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 72 years, Leila Smith on May 5, 2011; son, Steve Smith; 4 brothers: Willard, Ivan, Amber and Emory; 6 sisters: Margaret, Lenore, Darlene, Hope, Garnet and Edith; and son-in-law, Daniel Shehan.

Ernie is survived by three children: Mike (Bev) Smith of Beaver Lake, NE, Sherry (Chuck) Davis of Boulder, CO and Sally Smith-Shehan of Stanton, IA; daughter-in-law, Barb Smith of Crescent, IA; 8 grandchildren: Shelley Burson, Ellen Dasher, Mikalee Smith, Brett Smith, Rhonda Smith, Matt Shehan, Amber Volquartsen and Jared Shehan; 14 great-grandchildren: Kate, Kelsey, Tommy, Jake, Tabi, Kaitlyn, Tyler, Grace, Joey, Abby, Ryan, Sam, Dane and Larkin; sister, Ramona Manchester of Madrid, IA; and former son-in-law, Randy Alger; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Graveside Memorial Service with Military Rites will be held
Monday, March 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
At Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa

Visitation with the family will be held at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home on
Monday, March 22, 2021 from 12:00 noon until 1:30 p.m.

Family and friends may meet at the funeral home by 1:30 p.m. for procession to the cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family or Red Oak Airport.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.