Kenneth A. Smiley

Kenneth A. Smiley, 88, of Cedar Rapids, NE died Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Cloverlodge Care Center, St. Edward, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 20, 2025, at the United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, NE with Rev. Lynde Linde officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, NE. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Arthur Smiley was born on March 5, 1937, in Milford, Nebraska, to Gerald Smiley and Helen Batchelder Smiley. The family lived in rural Seward County near the town of Goehner, Nebraska, until March 1947, when they moved to a farm northeast of Cedar Rapids, which they purchased. Kenneth lived there with his sister until entering Cloverlodge Care Center in February 2024.

He began his schooling in Cedar Rapids Public School after the family's move and graduated as salutatorian of the Class of 1954. In 1956, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and began basic training in San Diego, California. Kenneth adjusted well, but during a medical examination his eyesight did not meet the Navy's standards, and he received an honorable discharge after 28 days. He then returned home to work on the farm for a time before taking a job at Jackson Motors, where he worked for about three years. Later, he worked briefly at Graham Motors in Albion before returning to Cedar Rapids to join the Farmers Co-op Company as a tank wagon driver. Kenneth remained there until he was needed full-time on the family farm about sixteen years later when his father's health began to decline. He took over all farm duties and later managed his father's trucking business as well. Kenneth continued these activities until his retirement at age 65.

Kenneth was a 75-year member of the United Methodist Church of Cedar Rapids, where he served in various positions on the church board and as a lay speaker for several years.

Music was a big part of Kenneth's life. He began singing in the church choir during high school and performed at many funerals, either as a soloist or in duets with Dick Jackson. He was also a member of the quartet "The Fearsome Foursome," along with Dick Jackson, Marian Jones, and Donna Heany.

Kenneth was active in the local community band for many years, playing trombone until the group's trumpet player passed away, at which point he taught himself to play the trumpet to help fill the role. He also played taps for numerous military services in the community.

He served on the boards of both the local Co-op and the Rural Fire Department, acting as an officer on each. Kenneth was also a proud 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, beginning in Primrose and later transferring to the Central City Lodge after other lodges consolidated.

In addition to his professional and community commitments, Kenneth delivered senior meals for several years. In his younger days, he enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, and collecting antiques.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, two cousins and their spouses. He is survived by his sister, Rita Smiley, along with several distant cousins and many friends.