Duane Stuart Stedman Smith

Duane Stuart Stedman Smith, 74, of Caldwell, Idaho and formerly of La Grande and Union died May 1, 2006. Dakan Funeral Chapel in Caldwell was in charge of arrangements. No public services are planned.

Mr. Smith was born March 17, 1932 to Basil and NOreen Stedman in Baker City. After his father died his mother married Gordon Smith. Duane attended school in La Grande through the seventh grade, when the family moved to California. They later moved to Union where Duane graduated from high school in 1950. After graduation he joined the Navy and served four years during the Korean War.

He met and married Kaye Heard. They lived in Lovelock, Nevada before moving to Caldwell 12 years ago. He was a member of the Caldwell Model Railroad Club and was an artist, rodeo clown, painter, jokester, woodcarver, toy craftsman, animal lover and avid gardener. He and Kaye made a home for the local stray cats and enjoyed gardening together.

Survivors include his wife of Caldwell; children and their spouses, Duff and Lisa Stedman of Spokane, Dani and Doug Sabens of Salem, Indiana, Dana and Randy Pendergrass of Valleyford, Washington and Dena Smith of Medical Lake, Washington; step-children and their spouses, Mason and Becky Myers of Spring, Texas and Kitty and Bobby Shipman of Plainview, Texas; 10 grandchildren; siblings and their spouses, Sharon and Butch Vermillion of La Grande and Jim and Theresa Smith of Union; a cousin, JerryLou Gerber of La Grande and other relatives. A brother, John Smith, died earlier.