L. Earl Smith, age 88, was born in Geneva, Kansas on June 19, 1921. He graduated to glory on September 26, 2009. Earl was saved as a young man and totally committed his life to serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In recent years, he faithfully attended Community Bible Chapel in Bel Aire. Earl graduated from Colony High School and Friends University. After 3 years in the Navy, he taught school for 7 years and then worked at Beech Aircraft for 21 years. Earl was instrumental in bringing Biddy Basketball to Wichita in 1955, and coached hundreds of boys over many years. Later in life, Earl was a "greeter" for the Walmart in Iola, Kansas and also for the store in Wichita. His grand passion in life was the distribution of Gospel literature throughout the United States and in several other countries. Earl would load up a bag with Gospels of John and other Christian tracts and head out - either taking a bus or hitchhiking across the country, always coming home with an empty bag! If you were ever handed a Gospel of John or received one on your doorstep or car it was probably from Earl. Earl is survived by his wife of 67 years, Beulah; son Gary; daughter Sharon (Robert) Lindsted; 8 grandchildren, Joy (Bryan) Ford, Daniel (Heather) Smith, Jill (John) Daghfal, Joshua (Amy) Smith, Jeremy (Shenel) Smith and Pam (Zama), Byron (Lori), and Kyle (Anita) Lindsted and 16 great-grandchildren. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 4:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at the Geneva Cemetery at Geneva, Kansas. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 3:00 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Community Bible Chapel in Bel Aire, Kansas. The family requests no flowers as a memorial fund has been established with Milk & Honey Ministries, 5500 E. 45th N, Wichita, KS 67220 and will go to support Earl's 3 granddaughters who are missionaries overseas. Online condolences for the family may be left at this website, www.iolafuneral.com. Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements.