Dennis Marlin Smith Obituary (1953 - 2024)

Dennis M. Smith, 70, of rural Birmingham, IA passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024, at his home. A memorial service in his honor will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Denny's honor may be directed to The Well - Fairfield. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com. Dennis Marlin Smith was born on September 16, 1953, in Ottumwa, IA to Marlin and Wilma Free Smith. He attended Pekin High School, graduating with the class of 1971. Denny briefly attended Iowa State University before returning home and starting an almost 30-year career with Rockwell in Fairfield. Shortly after starting his long work career, he purchased a farm north of Birmingham that he operated for several years, during which time, he married Sherry Louth. Denny and Sherry built a new home on the farm which they sold after Denny's retirement and moved for a short time to Alabama. He was a tinkerer, a puttser, a reader and a thinker. In retirement Dennis kept busy with his love for woodworking, gardening, favorite dog Lucky, and many cats over the years. He stayed busy with part-time jobs in the seasonal garden departments at Menards and HyVee in Ottumwa, then returning to a real job in the office at Clemons of Ottumwa for several years. Sherry and Denny later went their separate ways and Denny returned to Birmingham, where he and a brother operated the family farm under Dad's watchful eye. Denny had many friends that he made during his lifetime and his presence will be missed but not soon forgotten. Denny was preceded in death by his mother, Wilma Smith and his brother, Jay Smith. Left to honor his memory is his father, Marlin (Mary) Smith of Fairfield, IA; two siblings, Larry (Diana) Smith of Birmingham, IA and David Smith of Cedar Rapids, IA, as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.