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Submitted: 1/17/10 • Approved: 1/24/17 • Last Updated: 1/27/17 • R279942-G0-S3
September 28, 1955--February 18, 1981
*Obituary
The Baxter Bulletin
February 26, 1981
Wayne Eldon Smothers, 25, of Mt. Home, was killed in a plane crash Feb 18 at Thayer, MO. Mr. Smothers and Thayer Flight instructor, Danny E. Nickels, 31, were killed just before dusk when their single engine airplane crashed near the east end of the Thayer Airport, according to a spokesman for the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The Spokesman said it was not known who was flying the airplane when it crashed. The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. Witnesses stated that the airplane 'went up and kind of leveled off and then just tail-spinned down,' according to the Thayer News report of the accident.
Mr. Smothers, a salesman for Consolidated Supply of Blytheville, had lived in Mr. Home since 1976. He was formerly of Springfield, MO. He was a member of the Church of Christ.
He was born Sep 28, 1955, at Springfield. He is survived by his mother, Ruekaren Janes Prichett, of Springfield, and his father, Jerry F. Smothers of Springfield. He is also survived by his step father, Paul Prichett, and step mother, Mrs. Jerry Smothers.
He and the former Sabine (Cindy) Barns were Married Sep 24, 1972, at Oakland. Mrs. Barns resides at Mt. Home.
Other survivors include one half brother, Carl Layton of Springfield; two half sisters, Mrs. John Scott of Neosho, MO and Mrs. Don Terry of Springfield; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Janes of Springfield; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Marie Osburn of Springfield; one aunt and one uncle.
Graveside services were held at Fairview Cemetery near Lakeview with Brother Tom Green officiating. Local arrangements were handled by Roller Funeral Home.
Mr. Nickels, a former firefighter in California, is survived by his wife Kimberly and four children, Amanda, Jessica, Melissa and Jeffrey, all of the home. A native of West Plains, MO, he served in the United State Navy.
Services for Mr. Nickels were held Saturday at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer with Rev. Charles Gower officiating. Interment was in Thayer Cemetery.
(Photo Courtesy of Vera Reeves)
Contributed on 1/17/10 by maxparnell
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Record #: 279942