February 3, 2016

Ruth Margaret Kastl Smith, 91, a resident of rural Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, at her home. She was born Nov. 3, 1924, in Linn County, Kan., the daughter of Earl Jeffers and Ellen Macoubrie Jeffers. Ruth graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1942. 

The day after her graduation, she married Clifford Kastl. He preceded her in death in 1971. Ruth later married G. C. “Smitty” Smith in 1974. He died in 2012.

Ruth loved her life in the country and had made her home on the same farm for 68 years. She loved animals and had worked as a receptionist and assistant at Dr. Schafer’s Veterinary Clinic. She had also been employed by the Sale Barn. 

Ruth was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church. She was also a member of Eastern Star and had served as Past Worthy Matron and Past District Aide. 

Survivors include a son Mike Kastl of Fort Scott; three step-children, Granville Smith and wife, Judy, of Baxter, Iowa, Kathy Talbot of Fort Scott and Richard Smith and wife, Cindy, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, George Jeffers of Centerville, Kan.; and two sisters, Frances Noggle of Benton City, Wash., and Elouise Towle of Ashland, Mo.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Mercy Hospice and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.