John Smith

John William Smith was born on December 17, 1939, to Raymond and Beulah (Magnet) Smith on the family farm. He attended grade school in a one room school house until 5th grade. His sisters Rosie, Virginia, and brother Tom all rode on one horse to get to school each day. After fifth grade he attended and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School. John attended auto mechanics school in Kansas City for six months after high school. Later, he joined the National Guard for six months, and then served in the reserves. He returned to his family farm and worked together with his father, Raymond, until he passed away in 1965. John then took over the farming operation. John expanded his farm operation when he became farming partners with Bill Anderson. John married Mary Lou Anderson on September 8, 1973. To this union their son Shawn was born in 1974 and daughter Kelly was born in 1977.

John enjoyed his morning routine of having coffee with friends, picking up his grandson, Ben, and spending the day with him. He enjoyed collecting toy tractors, farming, and spending time with family and friends. John was a member of St Patrick's Catholic Church and he was a Knights of Columbus member.

John will always be deeply cherished by his family. John fought a very courageous battle with cancer for four years. John died on Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 68 years.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers-in-law, Dick Anderson and Patrick Sheehan; and his niece, Amy Heffernan. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Smith; their son, Shawn Smith; daughter, Kelly and Mark Nichols and grandson, Ben Nichols all of Dunlap; his sisters, Rosie Sheehan of Riverside, California, Virginia Smith of Omaha, Nebraska; brother, Tom and Barb Smith of Omaha, Nebraska; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Lois Anderson; siblings-in-law, Donna and Paul Weber, Rose and Don Thompson, Phyllis Fouts, Buff and Goober Melby, Bill and Sara Anderson, all of Dunlap; nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 am Thursday, May 8, 2008
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Dunlap, Iowa

Celebrant
Rev. Paul Strittmatter, SJ

Musician
Marilyn Grote
Mike Weber

Selection
"Amazing Grace"

Honorary Pall Bearers
Michael Sheehan, Patrick Sheehan
Tim Sheehan, Shawn Sheehan
Terry Sheehan, Lisa Smith
Jennifer Smith, Tom Smith, Jr.
Rose Mary Smith, Ben Nichols
Jackson Anderson, Bert Hanson
Goober Melby, Paul Weber

Pall Bearers
Jamie Fouts,Luke Fouts
Dick Keane, Shane Kepford
Nick Melby, Melvin Ronk

Final Resting Place
John W. Smith Family Farm
Dunlap, Iowa