Vaughan Mitchell Smithwick

Vaughan Mitchell Smithwick, 81, of rural Humboldt, NE was born on November 20, 1941 in Arapahoe, N.C. to Cronvell and Ruby (Lee) Smithwick.  He graduated from Pamlico High School in Bayboro, N.C. in 1960. Vaughan married Cheryl Lynne Schultz on September 28, 1963 at the Christian Church in Humboldt, Nebraska. 

He served for 25 years in the military, six years in the Air Force and the remainder in the U.S. Army.  Vaughan was stationed in Vietnam, Korea, Germany and various places in the U.S. He served in Vietnam where he earned many medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was very proud knowing that his grandson Travis, commissioned in the Air Force. He was also very happy that granddaughter Brittney and her family were moving back to the Kansas City area and would be closer to family.  After retirement, Vaughan flew for Capital Airlines between Manhattan and Kansas City.  He also flew as a corporation pilot for several companies in the Manhattan, KS area.  He was a commercial pilot, instructor pilot and an aircraft mechanic.

Vaughan bought the land his father-in-law was renting and farmed with him until he retired in 1985 and they moved into town.  Vaughan farmed mostly on the weekends until he retired from the military.  He then purchased more land and moved to Humboldt, NE in 1994 and started farming fulltime during the week and worked as a helicopter pilot instructor at Ft. Riley, KS on weekends for a number of years. Vaughan’s passions were flying and farming.  He could not kill anything, not even a bug.  He could fix anything and build anything and sometimes Vaughan would make special tools to get the job done.

He passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023 at the Falls City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center having reached the age of 81 years, 1 month and 19 days. 

Vaughan is survived by his bride of 59 years, Cheryl (Schultz) Smithwick of Humboldt , children, Tim Smithwick and wife Monica of Manhattan, KS and her sons Thomas Anneberg of Pittsburg, PA and Cole Anneberg of Portland, OR, daughter, Tracey Simons and husband Michael, grandchildren, Brittney Redger and husband Andrew of Pamona, CA and Travis Von Elling and wife Aja of St. Hedwig, TX, great-grandchildren, Kai and Quinn Von Elling, Teigan and Cade Redger, brother at heart, Thomas Willis of New Bern, N.C., brother Wesley Smithwick and wife Marie of Oriental, N.C., nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Charles and Lorene (Yocum) Schultz, sister Cordelia Willis, brother Roy Smithwick and paternal and maternal grandparents. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2023 at the Christian Church in Humboldt, Nebraska with Pastor Howard Blecha officiating.  The service was also  livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary Facebook page for those unable to attend. A link to the service and to the graveside are now available on the bottom of Vaughan's webpage.  

Visitation will be held from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the Wherry Mortuary in Humboldt, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Humboldt Christian Church or Humboldt Rescue Squad. 

Interment will be in the Humboldt Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Nebraska Army Funeral Honor Guard.

Condolences may be shared online @ www.wherrymortuary.com

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha Street-Humboldt, Nebraska 68376 (402) 862-2915

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