Smith, Joseph D. (1868-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jan 1 p. 3

Birth date: 1868 Jan 15

text of obituary:

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.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jan 15 p. 9

text of obituary:

JOSEPH D. SMITH

Joseph D. Smith, 84, of Eureka, lifelong resident of Woodford county Ill. and prominent for many years in civic, welfare and church activities, died at 1:20 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, in Eureka, Ill. hospital, where he had been a patient for two months.

He suffered a light stroke last fall at his home in Eureka and a short time later entered the hospital.

His death ended a long career of usefulness in his home county. He was a progressive farmer on the Smith homestead two miles east of Metamora for 31 years. He was one of the organizers of the Woodford County Farm Bureau back in 1914, and in 1915 was a prime mover in the organization of Metamora Township high school, was president of its first board of education, superintendent of the construction of the school building, and served as president for several terms.

In 1922 he moved from the farm to Eureka to supervise the building of the Mennonite Home for the Aged. Upon the completion of the building he was appointed superintendent and served in that capacity until he retired in 1947. He perhaps enjoyed most of all his work as overseer of the old people, aside from his life-long interest in religious affairs. Through a large part of his adult life he had served as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school in his church, the Metamora Mennonite church, and took an active part in the music service of the church. Lifelong friends remember him for his true Christian attitude in all things, his kindliness and neighborliness toward all.

Services were held Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 2:30 in the Metamora Mennonite church one mile east of Metamora, and were attended by a large gathering.

The services were in charge of Bishop Henry R. Schertz, pastor, assited [sic] by Bishop Sanford Yoder of Goshen, Ind., both friends and admirers of Mr. Smith, each of whom paid tribute to his life and deeds. Prayer was offered by Bishop Schertz and a male octet sang “Abide With Me,” “Rock of Ages” and “Nearer My God To Thee.”

Pallbearers were nephews and grandsons of Bro. Smith: Milton Smith, Willard Smith, Henry Dick, Harold Oyer, Lyle Smith and James Miller. Interment was made in Hickory Point cemetery on route 116 west of Metamora.

A son of Bishop John Smith and Magdalena Schertz Smith, he was born near Metamora Jan. 15, 1868. He married Anna Belsly Feb. 10, 1891 in Washington, Ill., and for 31 years the couple resided on the Smith farm two miles east of Metamora.

Surviving are his wife, three sons, Lester of Washington, Arthur of Eureka; four daughters, Mrs. Laura King of Chicago, Miss Pearl Smith of Eureka, Mrs. Ada Miller of Normal and Mrs. Verna Bishop of Doylestown, Pa.; one brother, Samuel of Eureka; two sisters, Mrs. Emma Schertz of Goshen, Ind., and Mrs. Ellen Oyer of Eureka; one step-sister, Mrs. Agnes Gunden of Goshen, Ind.; 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. One daughter, two brothers and two sisters are dead.

The deceased brothers were John C. Smith, Metamora township farmer and Prof. C. Henry Smith of Bluffton, Ohio, who attained distinction as an educator and author.