August 9, 2024

Linn County News

Published August 14, 2024

Vincent Bruce Smith, age 88, of Manhattan, Kan., passed away Wednesday Aug. 7, 2024, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan.

 He was born Feb. 26, 1936, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Voliny Mackey Smith and Vivian Bailey Smith. The family moved to the Argentine area of Kansas City, Kan., when Bruce was in the third grade. He graduated from Argentine High School in 1954. That fall he enrolled in Manhattan Christian College. He graduated from MCC in 1963 with an AB degree in ministry. 

He and his wife Pat were married Aug. 28, 1955, at the Christian Church in Perry, Kan. The following Sunday he preached at the Christian Church in Colony, Kan. He was a minister for 55 years serving churches in Colony, Nortonville, Glen Elder, Wichita, Harper, Mound City, and Attica; all in Kansas. 

Bruce started working at the Skelly service station when he was 14. He bought his first car when he was 14 and paid cash for it. It was a Ford model A. He later bought a 40 ‘Merc’ coupe and “souped” it up!

He enjoyed music. He played the first chair clarinet in his high school band and played the violin. In college he sang in the men’s quartet.

 He was preceded in death by his parents. Bruce is survived by his wife, Priscilla (Pat); his daughters, Lisa (Kevin) Ingram, of Manhattan, Kan., and Stacy (Kurt) Mortensen, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; his sister Virginia Mathews; six grandchildren, Lauren (Nic) Ingram Evans, Tyler (Ashley) Ingram, Chelsey (Derek) Mortensen Franco, Paige Mortensen, Widsherine (Juan) Mortensen Ventura, and Gentry (Jakob) Mortensen Tangney; and seven great-granddaughters with another who will arrive in October.

Services will be held on Saturday Aug. 17, 2024, at the Crestview Christian Church, 3940 Excel Road in Manhattan, Kan. The visitation will be at 10 a.m. with the service starting at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bruce are suggested to the Manhattan Christian College. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kan. 66502.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.