Eldon J. “Bud” Smith, 80, of De Soto died April 7, 2020, at his home at Valle Lake. Mr. Smith had served since 1984 as a volunteer, staff member and fire marshal with the De Soto Rural Fire Protection District. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the 24th Infantry Division stationed in Munich, Germany. He was born Dec. 3, 1939, the son of the late Eldon John and Rose (Sansoucie) Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife: Wanda (Haverstick) Smith.
He is survived by five children: Tammy (Mike) Biggers of Bonne Terre, Gail Porter of De Soto, Lori Smith of De Soto, Lisa (James) Drew of Barnhart and Heather Porter of De Soto; a brother: John (Karen) Smith of Cordova, Tenn., and his children: Jonathon (Kathy) Smith, Kara (Craig) Cowart and David (Lisa) Smith; a sister-in-law: Norma (the late Frank) Campbell of Festus; a brother-in-law: Gary (Bambi) Haverstick of De Soto; 10 grandchildren: Matthew Smith, Kyla (Aaron) Morales, Ashley Snyder, Megan Smith, Landon Porter, Griffin Porter, Emma Drew, Carter Drew, Lisa Beers and Valerie Beers; and seven great-grandchildren: Arnold, Alex, Carter, Alley, Averi, Hailey and Hunter.
He was preceded in death by two sons-in-law: Robert Porter and Charlie Beers; a brother-in-law: Ray “Dude” Haverstick; and a grandson: Andrew Porter.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Burial was in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in De Soto, officiated by the Rev. Dr. G. Michael Rose. Memorials may be made to Backstoppers, 10411 Clayton Road 203, St. Louis, 63131. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto.