Henry John Smatla Passes Away

   Henry John Smatla, 93, Meriden, died Thursday, December 12, 2013, at Linnwood Park, Meriden. He was born June 6, 1920, at Maple Hill, Kansas, the son of Thomas and Marie Smatla.
    Mr. Smatla was a member of the Community Church which was located North of Rossville, The Rossville Presbyterian Church and the ZCBJ Lodge. Mr. Smatla served in the C.C.C. in 1938, and enlisted and served in the Navy from 1941 to 1945. He served sea duty for 18 months in the European Theater, for which he received 2 battle stars, and served 26 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, Fleet Air Wing 17, for which he received 3 battle stars. During that time, he traveled 10 oceans and seas. Mr. Smatla was an AVA Machinist. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945.
    Mr. Smatla married Alice Laura Hillix, October 19, 1949, in Topeka. She preceded him in death on April 12, 1995. Surviving are a son: Larry Lee Smatla (Linda) of Oskaloosa, a daughter: Marcia Lynn Reiter (Ron) of Topeka; three grandchildren: Laura Marie Smatla Turner (Jim), Travis Lee Reiter (Cait), and Luke Edward Smatla (Heather); great-grandchildren: Garrett and Lydia Turner; and sisters: Lydia Carl and Marie DeVeney.
     Mr. Smatla first farmed north of Silver Lake, Kansas and north of Rossville, Kansas. He moved to a farm north of Meriden in 1954, where grain and cattle were his pride. He was a member of the Meriden United Methodist Church; Topeka North Post # 400 of the American Legion; V.F.W.; D.A.V.; and Moose Lodge # 555. He served as a Board Member of the Meriden Co-op; the Meriden United Methodist Church; and served on the F.H.A. Board for 12 years.
    Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, Monday, December 16, 2013, at the Meriden United Methodist Church. Military honors will be conducted at Czech-Morovian Cemetery, Delia. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, Sunday, at the Meriden United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th Street, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66614 or the Meriden United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 520, Meriden, KS 66512. Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.