JOHN DELBERT SMITH
JOHNSTON CITY-JOHN DELBERT "J D" SMITH 69 PASSED AWAY Friday, MAY 6, 2016 AT 2:45 AM IN HEARTLAND Regional Medical Center IN MARION.
JD WAS BORN APRIL 9, 1947 IN SHAKERAG-JOHNSTON CITY, IL TO JOHN LAVERNE SMITH AND MILDRED CALDONIA HARRELSON SMITH.
JD SPENT MOST OF HIS LIFE LIVING IN JOHNSTON CITY. HE WENT TO JOHNSTON CITY SCHOOLS, GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL 1965. FOR MANY YEARS HE WAS EMPLOYED BY HIS FATHER IN SMITTY'S CARPET CLEANERS. HE WAS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN, CERTIFIED SCUBA DIVER, TRUCK DRIVER, AUXILLARY POLICEMAN, AND BOUNCER.
JD ENJOYED HIS "FARM" AND LOVED GARDENING. HE HAD MANY FRIENDS THAT WOULD STOP BY IN THE EVENING FOR COOKOUTS, REFRESHEMENTS, AND SPINNING OF TALL TALES.
JD'S RETIREMENT WAS HAMPERED BY LOSS OF HIS LEG TO DIABETES. HE WAS CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR AND LIVED IN GOVERNMENT HOUSING IN MARION LAST SIX YEARS.
HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS.
SURVIVERS ARE ONE SON, JOHN D SMITH, TWO SISTERS AND THEIR HUSBANDS DELORES AND EDDIE GRIFFITH AND ARLA AND NELSON CLARK OF HERRIN AND ONE BROTHER PAUL E. SMITH OF JOHNSTON CITY AND VERY GOOD FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR SYLVESTER VANICK.
THERE WILL BE A BRIEF MEMORIAL SERVICE AT LAKEVIEW CEMETERY SATURDAY, MAY 14 AT 11 AM.
Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City is in charge of arrangements.