Elwyn George Smith was born in Springfield Mo to Frank and Ethyl Smith July 20th, 1927 and passed away July 14th, 2013. Elwyn graduated from Springfield High School and began playing professional baseball as a pitcher for the St. Louis Brown's farm club during the 40's. Elwyn met Juanita Winegardner in the third grade and they were married in 1948. They were married 51 years. She was always the love of his life and continued to be so after her passing in 1999. He served his country as a Master Sergeant in the army, training troops at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. After the service Elwyn returned to Springfield and became a plumber. He was a master plumber for over 35 years and always enjoyed helping people. He was known as "Prompt, Honest, Elwyn." Several years after retiring he went back to work at Lowes in the plumbing department and worked there for over 10 years winning several customer service awards. Elwyn was a character and was larger than life. He loved having a good time, was full of mischief and knew how to tell a good joke. He never met a stranger. He would often play mandolin with his identical twin brother Melvin at parties singing bawdy songs to the amusement of all present. He was a very good singer and particular loved singing "Old Man River" around the campfire. His passions were his family, music, fishing, hunting and his 6 grandchildren. He loved having them over, making rubber band guns for them and generally being the big kid he was. Elwyn is survived by his son Steve Smith and wife Leslie, his daughter Sherry Logan and husband Frank, grandchildren Katie Logan, Kelli Parker, Josh Smith, Meagan Mitchell, Lindsay Shadwell, Patrick Smith and great grandchildren Wyatt and Juniper. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Juanita, his parents Frank and Ethyl and 4 brothers, Hank, Marvin, Lloyd and Melvin. Elwyn loved dogs. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to C.A.R.E Animal Rescue, 1328-A W. Sunshine, Springfield, Mo. Visitation is Thursday, July 18th at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home at 4:00PM immediately followed by memorial service at 5:00PM.
