Velma Bischoff Smith, 94, of O’Fallon, formerly of De Soto, died Dec. 16, 2025, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis. Mrs. Smith was a teacher for 32 years, 30 of which were spent at De Soto and two at Grandview, with third grade being her favorite. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of De Soto, where she taught Sunday school for more than 60 years. Born Oct. 9, 1931, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Maggie Dalena Saylor.
She is preceded in death by her first husband: Edmund Bischoff Jr.; and her second husband: Willard Smith.
She is survived by a son: Stephen (Sue) Bischoff of O’Fallon; two granddaughters: Beth Bischoff and Rebecca (Matt) Martin; several nieces and nephews; and many other family members and friends.
She also was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until a funeral service at noon Saturday, Dec. 20, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., in De Soto. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in De Soto. Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or Billy Graham Ministries. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.