White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Rodger Dale Smith, 62 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, October 6, 2011, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.  He was born on November 18, 1948, in Marshall, Texas, the son of Loyce Cleveland and Nancy Elizabeth (Alexander) Smith.  He graduated from high school in Independence, Iowa, with the Class of 1966.  Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.  He and the former Colleen Kay Arbegust were married in 1976 at the First Baptist Church in Independence, Iowa.  Mr. Smith worked at the Mental Health Institute in Independence, Iowa, at the time of his death.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Colleen, 1 son, Jeff Gorham of Independence, Iowa, 1 daughter, Christine (Darrell) Brown of Independence, Iowa, and 3 grandchildren.  He is also survived by his mother, Nancy Roper of Independence, Iowa, and 2 brothers, Jim (Deb) Roper and Raymond (Judy) Smith, both of Independence, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his father and 2 brothers, Randy Childres and William Smith.

Mr. Smith’s body was cremated and his family will have private services at a later date.