"Spider" Steven Smith

Steven "Spider" Smith, 68, of rural Beaman and Gladbrook, passed away unexpectedly Monday, August 23, 2021 after a short illness. A visitation for Spider will take place on Wednesday, September 1 from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., followed by a service at 6:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Burial at Vienna Cemetery in Beaman will take place on Thursday, September 2 at 1:00 P.M. For questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. For those attending, the family would like everyone dressed casually, as Spider would want. “To make a long story short,” as Spider would say, he was born Steven William Smith on August 27, 1952 in Marshalltown to parents Wayne and Jeanne (Walker) Smith. Growing up, he was active and to this day, still holds the record for pitching a “no hitter” in little league. He attended school in Gladbrook, graduating from Gladbrook High School in 1970. Hardworking and dedicated, Spider spent eight years at Emerson – Fisher Controls before working over 20 years at Lennox, where he retired. He shared many years of his life with companion Cheryl Susie, along with her sons Nathan (Tanya), Gary and Dustin and granddaughters Ariel, Jayda, Gloria and Natalie. Later he and Cheryl parted ways. Music was everything for Spider; he loved listening to music, attending live shows, writing songs and he could play by ear. He was a well-known guitar player around Marshalltown and was lead guitarist for several bands throughout his lifetime, including Phafner, Aftershock and Crystal Canyon Band. He had a collection of over 20 guitars and also enjoyed fixing them for other people. Those left to cherish his memory are his brothers: Greg “Smitty” (Nuala) Smith of Marshalltown, Kevin (Debbie) Smith of Grand Junction, CO and Dennis (Barb) Smith of Gladbrook; nieces and nephews: Casey (Brenda), Angel, Katie (Michael), Joshua, Sarah (Sterling), Trina, Joseph (Jenn), Daniel and Gage Smith; numerous cousins and many, many friends. Spider is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Jeanne and his nephew, Sean Smith.