Roland E. Smith, 77, of Seneca, Kansas peacefully passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Crestview Nursing and Residential Living in Seneca.

Roland was born on April 29, 1942 to John A. Geneva L. Peck Smith in Morrill, Kansas.

Roland attended Reserve High School and graduated in 1960. He also attended Lincoln School of Commerce in Lincoln, Nebraska. Following his schooling he worked as a bookkeeper in Omaha, Nebraska.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 15, 1963. Roland took his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Following his basic training he went to Ft. Lee Virginia to attend advance training. Roland was assigned to the 11^th Armored Cavalry, Regensburg, Germany. Roland returned to the states on completion of his tour in Germany and volunteered for duty in Viet Nam. He served from 1965 to 1969 in Viet Nam with the 525^th Military Intelligence Group. He returned to the states and was assigned to the NATO missile Firing Installation in Crete, Greece. Roland separated from service on July 31, 1971 with disability.

Roland’s decorations received while in service was Army Commendation Medal (3^rd Oak Leaf Cluster) Good Conduct medal, National Defense Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry, Presidential Citation and Meritorious Unit Citation. Roland was awarded the Purple Heart and was discharged after his stay in the hospital from Ft. Sam.

Roland married Lavada Wolfgang at their home in Seneca on July 23, 1994.

He was a lifetime member of the DAV Chapter in Marysville, a lifetime member of the Sabetha V.F.W., a member of the Elks Lodge in Falls City, Nebraska, Moose Lodge in Marysville and Eagles Lodge in Marysville.

Roland had several interests in his life time which included Bingo, where he ran the American Legion Bingo in Seneca, cards, collecting coins and trips to the casino.

Roland is survived by his wife, Lavada of the home; step children, Ronnie Wolfgang of Home City, Linda Schreiber of Home City, Steven Wolfgang of Cunningham, Kansas, Terry Wolfgang, of Milliken, Colorado and Robert Wolfgang of Seneca; three sisters, Rose Fritch of Humboldt, Nebraska, Margaret Pallesan of Topeka, Kansas and Martha Crowford of Falls City, Nebraska; step grandchildren; step great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 10 AM at Lauer Funeral Home; with a visitation being held one-hour prior, from 9-10AM. Burial will be in the Morrill City Cemetery.

Memorials are for Veterans Wall in Seneca, sent in care of the family.