Barry A. Smiley

Memorial services celebrating the life of Barry A. Smiley, 92, of Davenport and formerly Rock Island will be held at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023, at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Visitation will be from 11:30 am until the time of the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at the National Cemetery, Rock Island, with military honors. Memorials may be made in Barry's honor to the Friends of Veterans Memorial Park, Davenport. Online link: https://fovmp.org/

Mr. Smiley passed away Wednesday, July 11th, 2023, at Country Manor, Davenport.

Barry Alan Smiley was born November 7, 1930, in Rock Island, the son of Charles William and Thelma Margaret (Cunningham) Smiley. He graduated from Rock Island High School, soon after he joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Barry was a proud Marine. He enjoyed sharing stories of his experiences with his fellow Marines in Korea, but rarely shared about the battles. During his service he earned three Purple Hearts and carried shrapnel in him for the rest of his life.

Barry was united in marriage to Shirley Herbert, and they celebrated the birth of their children: Barry, Susie, Rob, and Timothy. He later married Jaime Shaw. In 1979, Barry married Beth Anne Rapsilber. Beth Anne and Barry celebrated forty-three years together.

On his return from Korea, Barry began his carpenter apprenticeship. At age 30, Barry became a firefighter in Rock Island until his retirement at the age of 50. Throughout his adult life he was a skilled carpenter, working alongside his brother, friends, and his son, Rob.

During Barry's free time he enjoyed golfing, at Emeis and on TV. He and Beth Anne spent hours scouting out antiques to create a home full of history and charm. His carved birds and antique tramp art could lead to long stories. Barry and stories. He had a lot.

Barry could fix anything, remodeling his beloved, red convertible hot rod, and was working on projects up to the end of life. Beth Anne and Barry were advocates of “a house isn't a home” unless shared with at least two dogs. Barry was the consummate host and loved showing (and telling) guests about he and Beth Anne's home that is on the National Register of Historic Places. In the last few years Barry spent hours being the undesignated, but dedicated, sidewalk superintendent at his son's Rob carpentry site.

Survivors include his wife, Beth Anne; children, Barry (Patty) Smiley of Prineville, OR, Susie (Jay) Brent of Merritt Island, FL, Rob (Debbie) Smiley of Rock Island, IL; grandchildren Ryan (Amanda) Fitzpatrick of Lyons, OR, Kasey (Jordan) Lustik of Maitlan, FL, Helena Smiley of Chicago, IL, half-sister Toni Cedderoth and half-brother Terry Smiley: and his beloved Wheaten terriers Maxi and Tasha.

He was preceded in death by his son Timothy, sister Beverly Lemburg, half-sisters Mona Cohenour, Dawn Sullenberger and brother Robert Smiley and half-brother Jack Smiley.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com