Dorotha Lucile Smerchek, 96, Valley Falls, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at LinnWood Park Assisted Living in Valley Falls, KS.
She was born on Oct. 31, 1915, in the Walnut Township area of Phillips County, Kansas, the daughter of Ezra P. and Ruby Allen Fellers. Lucile graduated from Axtell High School in 1932, received her teaching certificate and then taught from 1933-1948 in several schools in Marshall County, including Bigelow and Blue Rapids.
She married Paul Smerchek on Feb. 15, 1946, at Hiawatha. They owned the Western Auto Store in Valley Falls from 1962-1982. Mr. Smerchek died on Nov. 4, 1990.
Lucile was a member of the Valley Falls United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and the Ladies Auxiliary of Grahem-Herbers Post 3084, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the For-Get-Me-Not Club, all in Valley Falls. She was also a member of the Women of the Moose, Lodge 555 in Topeka. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mavis Kooser and Kathryn Shell.
Survivors include two sons, Allen Smerchek, Overland Park, and Dennis (Kim) Smerchek, Topeka; and three grandchildren, Scott Smerchek, Carly Smerchek and Amanda VanSchaick.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, at the Valley Falls United Methodist Church. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery at Blue Rapids at 2:30 p.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County EMs District 11 or to the Valley Falls United Methodist Church and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.