earl Hardin smitherman
Earl H. Smitherman, veteran
barber in the downtown Kansas City area more than 60 years, died
yesterday at the St. Joseph hospital. He had been in ill health about
two years, and entered the hospital August 12. Until that time, he had
continued his barbering work, by appointment, at the shop in the Hotel
Muehlebach. Death was caus- ed by cancer.
Last April, friends, customers, staff members and hotel officials: sent mementos and gathered at the shop for an impromptu celebration of Mr. Smitherman's 85th birthday. He received congratulatory messages from fourteen states and two foreign countries.
Mr. Smitherman, who was born in Saline County, Missouri, had be- come one of the most widely known barbers in this area thru the years at various downtown locations. He numbered among his customers many of the business leaders of the city, some of whom made special trips to get haircuts from Mr. Smitherman even when their offices were some distance from the hotel.
Former Presidents, supreme court justices, high executives and leaders in various professions had occupied chair No. 1 in the shop.
Mr. Smitherman had worked in or owned barber shops in the Scar- rit arcade, the old Board of Trade building, and at 1009 Walnut street street, and 117 West Ninth street in the years prior to his work at at the hotel shop since about 1916 the Muehlebach shop. He had been and for thirty years of that time had been manager. In 1951, Smitherman retired from the managership. He continued to work on his own schedule by appointment. The decrease in men seeking barbershop shaves often was lamente by Mr. Smitherman. He was a baseball enthusiast over the years and always followed the Kansas City team's progress, and did so with the A's this year.
Mr. Smitherman was a member of the Blue Lodge of the Masons, and was a member of the Baptist Church.
In addition to his host of close his friends, he leaves to mourn death, his wife of the home; one son, Roy Smitherman of Kansas City; two sisters, Mrs. Maud Gentry and Mrs. Ione Dyer, both of Marshall; and four brothers. Fred Smitherman of Slater, John Smitherman of Kansas City, William Smitherman of San Diego, Calif., of Port and Percy Smitherman Allen, La.
Last April, friends, customers, staff members and hotel officials: sent mementos and gathered at the shop for an impromptu celebration of Mr. Smitherman's 85th birthday. He received congratulatory messages from fourteen states and two foreign countries.
Mr. Smitherman, who was born in Saline County, Missouri, had be- come one of the most widely known barbers in this area thru the years at various downtown locations. He numbered among his customers many of the business leaders of the city, some of whom made special trips to get haircuts from Mr. Smitherman even when their offices were some distance from the hotel.
Former Presidents, supreme court justices, high executives and leaders in various professions had occupied chair No. 1 in the shop.
Mr. Smitherman had worked in or owned barber shops in the Scar- rit arcade, the old Board of Trade building, and at 1009 Walnut street street, and 117 West Ninth street in the years prior to his work at at the hotel shop since about 1916 the Muehlebach shop. He had been and for thirty years of that time had been manager. In 1951, Smitherman retired from the managership. He continued to work on his own schedule by appointment. The decrease in men seeking barbershop shaves often was lamente by Mr. Smitherman. He was a baseball enthusiast over the years and always followed the Kansas City team's progress, and did so with the A's this year.
Mr. Smitherman was a member of the Blue Lodge of the Masons, and was a member of the Baptist Church.
In addition to his host of close his friends, he leaves to mourn death, his wife of the home; one son, Roy Smitherman of Kansas City; two sisters, Mrs. Maud Gentry and Mrs. Ione Dyer, both of Marshall; and four brothers. Fred Smitherman of Slater, John Smitherman of Kansas City, William Smitherman of San Diego, Calif., of Port and Percy Smitherman Allen, La.