Connie Lou Smerchek, age 74, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2011, at her home. She was born on May 29, 1936 in rural Lane, Kansas, the daughter of Chester and Aldana (Mills) Burkhead. Connie graduated from Garnett High School in 1954. On March 20, 1956, Connie was united in marriage to Carl Smerchek, at Oceanside, California. This union was blessed with one son. She worked for Western Electric, AT&T, and Lucent Technology as a Coordinator of Customer Service for over 20 years, retiring in 1991. Connie enjoyed traveling, our ever present West Highland Terriers, crocheting, doing crossword puzzles, and tending to her flower garden. She was a member of the Telecom Pioneers. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her daughter-in-law, Cathy Smerchek. Connie is survived by her husband, Carl Smerchek, of the home; her son, Cleat Smerchek of Oakland City, Indiana; brother Chester Samuel Burkhead and wife Lulu of Norman, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Zella Gwin and husband Floyd of Salina, Kansas; and brother-in-law Lawrence Smerchek and wife Judy of Arma, Kansas. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Family will be present at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service on Saturday morning. A private inurnment will follow the memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Anderson County Hospice or American Cancer Society. You may send your condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com