Smith, Joseph D. (1868-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jan 1 p. 3

Birth date: 1868 Jan 15

Former Superintendent Of Illinois Home Died

LARGE NUMBER ATTEND SERVICE FOR J. D. SMITH AT METAMORA

Metamora, Ill. — Community residents, relatives and friends filled the new Metamora Mennonite church here Dec. 23 when final services were held for Joseph D. Smith, 84, former superintendent of the Mennonite Home for Aged at Eureka and leader in church and community life here. He passed away Dec. 21 at the Eureka Community hospital.

The services were in charge of Henry R. Schertz, pastor of the church, and Sanford C. Yoder of Goshen, Ind.

Bro. Smith, a lifelong resident of Woodford county, farmed two miles east of Metamora for 31 years. In 1914 he helped organize the Woodford County Farm Bureau, and the following year led in the organization of the Metamora township high school, serving as first president of the board of education and supervisor of construction.

In 1922 the family moved to Eureka where he supervised the erection of the home for aged, becoming its first superintendent. He continued in that capacity for a period of 25 years.

He was Sunday school superintendent of the local church for many years, and formerly was active as music instructor and in youth and missionary work in the Illinois conference.

Surviving are his wife, the former Anna Belsly, four daughters and three sons, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was a brother of the late C. Henry Smith, well-known Mennonite historian.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jan 15 p. 9