RICHARD STERLING SMITH, JR.

Richard (Rick) Sterling Smith Jr., 64, of Walnut Grove passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on Jan. 11, 1960, in Springfield to Richard and Theresa (Landwehr) Smith.  
He graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1978 and began his career at Paul Mueller Company. He retired in April of 2015 after 37 years.
On Jan. 30, 1984, he married Anita Vance and they shared 40 years together.
He is survived by his wife, Anita; sons, Justin (Diane) Smith and Jeremy (Ashley) Smith; daughter, Heather (Michael) Mangan; and his father, Richard Smith, Sr. all of Walnut Grove; sisters, Mary (Robert) Stillings of Kimberling City and Patty (Tommy) Bowers of Walnut Grove; five grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his mother; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ted and Chris Vance; brothers-in-law, Claude Vance and Mike Ward; and sisters-in-law, Kimmie Worthan, Judy Ward and Deanna Vance.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 26, at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, with burial after at Greene Lawn Cemetery.