Smith, John J. (1885-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Sep 23 p. 9

Birth date: 1885 Jul 7

text of obituary:

JOHN J. SMITH

A host of people gathered at the Presbyterian church of Marion, S.D. Friday afternoon, Aug. 27, to pay tribute to John J. Smith, highly respected fellow citizen and builder of a better Marion for more than four decades.

Rev. N.J.O. Boomgaarden was the officiating clergyman.

Active pallbearers were Corney Tieszen, E. Frerking, Pete Klassen, John Verhoef, Herb Janssen and Frank Buse.

Honorary pallbearers were Wm. Donlan, Dr. B. G. Graber, Emil J. Graber, Jacob Hieb, Dr. Edw. Tieszen, Dr. S. Franz, J. J. Gering and James Ramussen.

John J. Smith, son of Johann P. Schmidt, and Elizabeth (nee Schartner) Schmidt, was born on the farm seven miles northwest of Marion on July 7, 1885.

He spent his youth on the farm, and attended the rural schools. In 1906 he entered Grand Island Business College at Grand Island, Nebr. He graduated in 1908, and accepted a position in the state bank at Orchard, Nebr. In 1911 he became affiliated with the Farmers State Bank, Marion, S.D., with which he served until his sudden death on August 23, 1954.

He was baptized and united with the Presbyterian church on May 24, 1915 and served his church regularly and consistently. He was a trustee from 1918 to 1924; and Elder ever since March 2, 1924. He was a faithful attendant at all the services of the church.

On October 5, 1914, in Overbrook, Kansas, he married Edith Hershey, who preceded him in death on Sept. 5, 1947. To this union six children were born; Loren (who died in infancy); Alice, Eldon, Keith, Gordon, Lois. On Oct. 1, 1949, he married Mrs. Elma Schlunsen, who survives him.

Following a trip to Minneapolis (August 21) he and his wife traveled to Walker in Northern Minnesota for a few days of fishing. After a wonderful day of fishing they were preparing to retire for the night, when he had a sudden heart attack. This was the cause of his immediate and untimely death, on Monday evening, August 23, 1954. He reached an age of 69 years, one month, and 16 days.

Those who survive him are: his widow, Mrs. Elma Smith; two daughters, Alice (Mrs. Kenyon Caldwell, Omaha, Nebr.); Lois (Mrs. James Remer, San Anselmo, Calif.); three sons, Eldon and Keith of Marion; Gordon of Centerville, S. D.; two stepdaughters, Melba Joyce (Mrs. R. J. Kallstrom, Minneapolis, Minn.); and Carol at home; and his father-in-law, F. Tempel; 11 grandchildren; and one brother, Henry, of Bridgewater, S. D. Besides these, also a host of relatives and friends.

Interment was in the Greenwood cemetery with the Tschetter Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.