OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Donald Smeal, founder of Smeal Manufacturing Co. and Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., has died. He was 84.
In 1955, Smeal purchased a repair shop in Snyder and started building a company that is still one of the country's leading producers of water well hoists. Smeal later started the fire apparatus company after building a firetruck with a pump, a tank, an enclosed cab and a 42-foot hydraulic aerial ladder.
Smeal died Tuesday in West Point. Funeral services were scheduled for Friday at St. Leo Catholic Church in Snyder.
