Eugene Gordon Stover, better known as “Smokey” passed away at Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming, NM on May 15, 2010 at the age of 80, surrounded by his loving family. 

Smokey was born May 20, 1929 in Havelock, IA to Maney and Dorothy (Wright) Stover, one of seven children.  After receiving his formal education in Iowa, he enlisted at the young age of 17 in the United States Marine Corps. He valiantly served his country in several campaigns including Panama, Korea and two tours in Viet Nam. During his military career he was trained as a helicopter mechanic, a member of the military police and lastly a member of the Administration of the Financial Center. He was the proud recipient of several distinguished awards and medals, including multiple Good Conduct Medals, Meritorious Mast Achievement Devotion and Expedition. 

He married Audrey (White) Stover on November 24, 1949 in Elizabeth City, NC. During his military career the Stover family moved several times from California, to Texas, back to California, to Hawaii, to Kansas and finally Missouri. During this time two children were born to Smokey and Audrey, Glenn and Cheryll. Smokey retired from the USMC in 1973 after serving 28 years as a Sargeant Major. Moving back to Iowa. After his military retirement he worked many different jobs; he farmed; built the local bowling alley and was employed as a mechanic and bartender there; a boat mechanic at a local marina; delivery driver for a local cement plant; and lastly as a heavy equipment operator for Sanifill of Iowa (now known as the Dickinson Landfill)where he was then promoted to Site Manager. He retired, a second time, in 1995. Him and his wife moved to Deming, NM in 1999. Smokey was a life long member of the VFW, the American Legion and Marine Corps Association. 

Smokey is survived by his wife of 60 years, Audrey (White) Stover of Deming, NM; son, Glenn and his wife, Marie and their son, Smokey Joe, all of Greenville, IA; a daughter, Cheryll Neppl of Spirit Lake, IA and her daughter, Stacey Neppl of St. Paul, MN; and her son, Gregory Neppl and his wife, Amanda, of Mitchell, SD. Also survived by his sisters, Bernice (Stover) Christoffer of Shelbina, MO; Vernice (Stover) Klesath of Mason City, IA; Evelyn (Stover) Selzer and her husband, Bill, of Everly, IA; Carol (Stover) Michel and her husband, Bill, of Maryland Hgts, MO; and many nieces and nephews. 

Preceded in death by his father, Maney Stover; his mother, Dorothy Stover; twin infant sisters, Louise and Lola Stover; and brothers Dean and Gerald Stover. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Schuchert Funeral Home on June 14, 2010. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on June 15 ,2010, at the Schuchert Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers are Sam Wedeking, Dick Neppl and grandsons, Smokey Stover and Greg Neppl.