Max Smith

Funeral services for Max Smith, 72, founder and longtime leader of Smith Fertilizer &
Grain, will be held Friday, August 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral
Home in Knoxville (309 W. Main St.). Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. After
the service, family and friends are invited to remain at the funeral home for lunch and to
share stories, memories, and fellowship in celebration of Max’s life.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 21, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Pierschbacher
Funeral Home in Knoxville.
Memorial contributions in Max’s memory may be made to the Smith family, who will
distribute them to organizations and causes that were meaningful to him throughout his
life.
Max Frank Smith was born October 14, 1952, in Chariton, Iowa, to Lyman and Jeanne
(Jenkins) Smith. He grew up in the Attica area and graduated from Twin Cedars High
School in 1970.
A proud veteran, Max served in the United States Army National Guard, carrying the
lessons of discipline, perseverance, and dedication with him throughout his life. On April
5, 1985, he married his beloved wife, Sharon (Gilbert) Smith. Together they built a life
rooted in love, family traditions, and countless cherished memories.
As one of the founders of Smith Fertilizer & Grain (SFG), Max dedicated his career to
growing the business into a trusted, family-owned company known throughout Iowa. He
was admired for his creativity, resourcefulness, and unwavering drive. Max approached
challenges with determination and a can-do spirit, believing that hard work and
persistence could overcome any obstacle. For him, “no” was never the final answer — if
someone told him it couldn’t be done, it became a challenge for him to prove that it
could. That relentless optimism and conviction not only fueled the growth of the
company but also inspired those who worked alongside him.
Max’s leadership extended far beyond his own business. Deeply committed to
agriculture and rural communities, he served on numerous boards and committees
throughout his life. He held positions on local school and community boards, and he
devoted more than 20 years of service to the Marion County Farm Bureau. At the state
level, he made a lasting mark as Chairman of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa
Board and as President of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.
Through these roles, Max worked tirelessly to strengthen Iowa agriculture, advocate for
farmers, and ensure that the industry he loved would thrive for future generations. His
voice was one of innovation and progress, but always grounded in the values of hard
work, fairness, and community. Whether shaping policy, guiding industry initiatives, or
mentoring younger leaders, Max’s contributions left an enduring legacy within Iowa
agriculture.
Max had a zest for life that showed in everything he did. From a young age, he
developed a deep love for tractors, motorcycles, cars, and boating—passions that
stayed with him throughout his entire life. Whether it was admiring tractors, enjoying the
thrill of Corvettes, or spending time on the water, these interests reflected both his
adventurous spirit and his appreciation for tradition and craftsmanship.
He especially cherished the times he and Sharon spent in Florida, where he loved being
out on the water. Max never truly stepped away from his work—he would often joke that
he had just slowed down to a “normal” 40-hour week. For him, agriculture and Smith
Fertilizer & Grain were not just a career, but a calling he deeply loved.
Family and friends knew Max as strong-willed yet deeply kindhearted. He cherished
time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, especially during simple
joys like watching fireworks on the 4th of July, eating homemade ice cream, and
gathering for sweet corn feeds. Max had a unique gift for connecting with people and
left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Max passed away on August 16, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Lyman
Smith.
He is survived by his mother, Jeanne Smith; wife, Sharon Smith; children: Kathy (Russ
Young) Greer, Jason (Andrea) Smith, Stacy Powell, Charles (Janet) Smith, Jaime Smith,
and Kyle (Kristin) Smith; 22 grandchildren—Dustin, Terra, Tyler, Payton, Tyler, Reagan,
Beau, Colin, Skyler, Madison, Cheyenne, Raeleigh, Caleb, Daxson, Drey, Azell, Tyson,
Kennedy, Taleyah, Mason, Carson, and Kenzie; great-grandchildren—Kane, Kalani,
Isaac, Jacqueline, Theodore, Greeley, and August; siblings: John (Nancy) Smith,
Wayne (Bonnie) Smith, and Ginger (Kevin) Pearson; along with many nieces, nephews,
relatives, and friends.
Max was more than the proud father of six children, grandfather of 22, and great-
grandfather of seven—he was the heart and driving force behind Smith Fertilizer &
Grain. His vision, dedication, and tireless work ethic helped shape the company into
what it is today. Most importantly, he poured his life into people, building relationships
that will endure for generations. Even while enjoying the water, the open road, or time
with his family, Max’s heart was never far from the work he loved and the relationships
he built through it.