Alderman's memorial service scheduled
Posted: 12.21.2009 at 3:28 PM

ATLANTA, MO. -- A memorial service is scheduled for a northeast Missouri city alderman killed in a car crash.

Roger Smid, 68, of Atlanta died when he lost control of his SUV on a slippery Highway 36 in Linn County nearly two weeks ago.

Smid had served on the Atlanta City Council since this past summer.

His memorial service is set for 4 p.m. January 16, 2010 at the Atlanta Christian Church.

Those at Atlanta City Hall said Smid was a wealth of knowledge and always gave thoughtful advice at city council meetings, even before he became alderman.

Smid's daughter, Cindy Maher of Callao, received minor injuries in this month's crash.    

Her husband, Shawn Maher, 41, was seriously hurt. He remains hospitalized in Columbia.

Shawn Maher is the chief of police in Clarence, Mo.

Cindy Maher told KTVO her husband is done with all of his surgeries. Now, he begins the long road to recovery, which will include a lot of physical therapy, but she said her husband will eventually walk again.

She said Maher suffered a concussion, a broken wrist, two broken legs, two broken legs and a broken pelvis, among other things when he was thrown from the vehicle during this month’s crash.

Fortunately, he did not receive any brain damage.

Cindy Maher told us the outpouring of love during this whole ordeal is beyond words.

She said a UPS driver from Chillicothe, Mo. was the first person to come upon the crash and call 911.

Maher said numerous people literally gave them their coats to keep warm while waiting for the ambulance to arrive at the scene.

She said member of the Callao Christian Church built her husband a wheelchair ramp at the couple’s home in Callao.

She said it’s generous acts of kindness like this that made her parents love northeast Missouri so much.

The Smids had retired a couple of years ago and moved to Atlanta, Mo. from Las Vegas.

Maher said her parents dearly loved the Atlanta community, and she wants to thank everyone who has shown her family kindness and generosity during this difficult time.