Dan Smith

Danny Darrell Smith

January 21, 1948-June 21, 2026

Merna, Nebraska

Danny Darrell Smith, age 78 of Merna, NE passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at home surrounded by his children.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 25th, at Govier Brothers Mortuary, at 10:00 am, burial will be in the Merna Cemetery. A lunch will follow the services at the Merna Community Center. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com Memorials are suggested to the Anselmo/Merna Schools Track & Field Program. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 24th from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with a time to greet the family from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary.

Danny was born on January 21, 1948, at home to Darrell and Ruth (Jones) Smith, in Marion County, Illinois. 5 little brothers soon followed including Michael, Forrest (Randall), Marcus, Vincent, and Dennis. The Smiths were a talented hard-working farm family. As a young man, Danny worked various jobs to assist in supporting his family including farming, milking, and oil fields, etc. The family moved quite a bit eventually settling and making their home in central Nebraska.

On February 12, 1967, Danny was united in marriage to Gloria Eng of Merna. To this union 4 children were born; Cynthia, Devin, Stephanie, and Dustin. Danny & Gloria lived in various places in Nebraska, moving to North Platte in 1971, to Gering in 1979, and returning to Merna in 1984.

Dan and Gloria made their home in the Merna area following their marriage. They raised hogs for a short while and he drove an A-M School bus route. Dan took various continuing ed classes through NP Community College owning a TV repair shop in Merna, eventually moving to North Platte where he worked for TNC and then to Gering, Ne working for TNC and sales for Motorola. While in Gering he joined the Gering Volunteer Fire Dept. and was an EMT.

In 1984 they returned to Merna and Danny went to work for a small cable company. Danny joined the Merna Volunteer Fire Dept and EMT squad eventually becoming fire chief. Dan went to work for Consolidated Telephone as a cable technician working until his retirement. He spent many long hours on the road covering many miles and making many friends. In his retirement he drove an A-M School bus route. His kids teased him that he loved his bus kids more than his own.

Danny was also an avid Ham Radio operator and was still checking into NET until just a few weeks before his death. Danny & Gloria were huge school sports fans and could be found on the bleachers or in the crowd supporting their children and grandchildren.

Danny is survived by his children Cynthia (Bobby Myers) Huhman, of Broken Bow, Devin (Michelle) Smith of Seward, NE Stephanie McIntosh of Callaway, Dustin (Keri) Smith of Randall, KS, and daughter-in-law Nancy Smith of Edgemont, SD. Also, grandchildren; Ryan (JaLisa) Province, Brittany (Zach McAlevy) Province, Reece (Shelby Wilcox) Huhman, Bethany Huhman, Timmy Myers, Elijah (Kara) Smith, Addison Smith, Jacob McIntosh, Georgiee & Graciee Smith, Brandon Smith, Kara (Brayden Nettifee) Smith, 3 great grandchildren and one on the way; Ryker Province, Delilah Toof, and Alayna McAlevy, brother-in-law, Gary (Lisa) Eng, and numerous step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Danny is preceded in death by wife, Gloria (Eng) Smith, great grandson Gabriel James Smith, his parents, Darrel “Hoss” & Ruth Smith, brothers Mike Smith, and Dennis Smith, in-laws Georg and Minnie Eng.

Memorials are suggested to the Anselmo/Merna Schools Track & Field Program