Chalmers Lavon Smith, 84, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.
He was born Feb. 11, 1941, in Iola, the son of Chalmers William and Beatrice (Brunell) Smith. He graduated from Iola High School and then earned an Associate Degree at Allen County Community College.
On July 10, 1965, he and Mary Alice Hess were married at the Strawn Christian Church. They became the parents of two children, Corey and Marla. They enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage before Mary Alice’s passing on June 30, 2025.
Chalmers was employed as a train keeper by the Union Pacific Railroad until his retirement. While working for the railroad he and Mary Alice lived in Kansas City, Tonganoxie, Junction City, Manhattan, and Topeka, before settling in Tecumseh in July of 1969. They moved to Topeka several years ago.
Chalmers and Mary Alice enjoyed traveling and had traveled to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and to Salt Lake City five times on a bus.
He was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marcella Guthrie.
He is survived by his children, Corey Smith (Deb), Basehor, Kansas, and Marla Watson (David), Topeka; five grandchildren, Jesse Smith (Kate), Quincy King, and Ericca Watson (Tyler), Branden Watson (Ashley), and Addie Watson; four great-grandchildren, Trenton, Nolan, Westin, and Raylan and one on the way; several nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, Kansas. Burial will follow in Glendale Cemetery northeast of Burlington.
The family will meet with friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Community Cat Fix and be made online at https://tccf-tnr.org/ or may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.
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