Cecil Dale Smith

Cecil Dale Smith, 91, of Grand Island, NE, died Friday, November 14, 2014, at Bickford Cottage.

Memorials are suggested to the pipe organ fund at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island. (Address here). Condolences may be sent to Tim and Pam Smith and Cindy and Elmar Lorenz at 2115 N. Elm Ave., Hastings, NE 68901.

He was Born April 17, 1923 at his parents' home in Fullerton, NE. He grew up on the family farm.

He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a cryptographer.

He was united in marriage June 22, 1947 to Ethel Georgia Omer in Fullerton, NE

The couple began their lives together on a ranch near Anselmo, NE, where Tim and Cindy were born. Dale's further education took the family to Hastings, California, New York City, Dunning, Broken Bow and, finally in 1963, Grand Island, NE, where Corey was born.

He Earned his Bachelors of Arts in Music at Hastings College in 1959 and his Masters of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1962.

He taught music at Walnut Jr. High School and was choir director at First Presbyterian Church. He later established the Grand Island Conservatory of Music. He continued giving private music lessons for many years.

Memorial services will be held at the Fullerton, NE Presbyterian Church at a later date, to be announced. Apfel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements