John E. Smith,92 years old, a lifelong resident of LaPorte passed away Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at Golden Living Center. He was born August 20, 1918 in LaPorte, Indiana, Son of Melvin O. and Edna Finney Smith.
He married his college sweetheart Katherine Ridgley Arrel at Camp Lee, Virginia on July 3, 1943 who survives. He was a loving and devoted dad to his daughters, Florence Love of Roswell, Georgia; Jody (Doug) Holloway of Akron, Ohio and Margaret Kelley of Marietta, Georgia; who survive. He is also survived by his baby brother, Dudley, of Fort Myers, Florida; four grandchildren- Hunter, Colton and Lillian Holloway, and Florence Kelley, a special nephew Christopher (Cheryl) Smith and their boys, Ben, Josh, Marshall, Noah, Nathaniel, and Marcus. He leaves many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews to cherish their memories of him. He also is survived by four foreign exchange students that lived with Katherine and him during their senior years of High School; Lila Lennert of Greenland, Pia Olsen of Sweden, Raul Gonzalez of Paraguay and Dr. Jaime Lopez of Columbia.
He was proceeded in death by his parents,2 brothers Marshall and Wallace; 2sisters in law Dorothy and Mary Jane, and a foreign exchange daughter, Cindy Meyers of South Africa.
He was a congenial, warm-hearted, generous man to both friends and strangers. He loved life and always had a positive outlook. He was a captain in the U.S. Army serving in WWll with the British 8th Army chasing Rommel around Africa. He was a member of the V.F.W.#1130, American Legion Post #83, and was Class President of LaPorte High School Class of 1936. He graduated from Whittenburg College in 1940, was Past President of LaPorte County Realtors Association, Founder of LaPorte Multiple Listing Association, LaPorte Lions Club, Past President of the American Tuberculosis Association, he was active in LaPorte Little Theater, member and choir member of LaPorte Presbyterian Church and First Christian Church, Hunt Club, Shoe and Slipper Dance Club of South Bend, 1963 President of LaPorte Chamber of Commerce, served on the Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors, LaPorte Airport Commission,and delivered many a meal for Meals on Wheels in LaPorte. For 30 years he played Santa Claus for the children at Riley Elementary. He and Katherine enjoyed 37 years as season ticket holders for Notre Dame Football.
He was a LaPorte business man that owned Smith Heating,John E.Smith Furniture from 1956-1970. He also owned and operated Hoosier Realty from 1968-2007.
The family would like to thank the compassionate staff of Brentwood for all the tender loving care they gave to John while he was a resident there. We would also like to thank Golden Living nurses Carrie, Jamie, Eric, and Cheryl and aid Cheryl for all the kindness they shared with John during his last days. Lastly, thank you to Dr. Wheeland for all of his caring and compassion while treating John as his patient.
Friends will be received at Cutler Funeral Home from 2-5 PM Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 10am on Monday, September 27 with Pastor Jay Loucks officiating. Internment will follow in the Pine Lake Cemetery, with full military honors provided by the LaPorte Honor Guard.
Contributions may be made to the V.F.W. #1130 or the American Legion Post #83.
Friends may leave condolences for the family at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Smith, please visit our flower store.
He married his college sweetheart Katherine Ridgley Arrel at Camp Lee, Virginia on July 3, 1943 who survives. He was a loving and devoted dad to his daughters, Florence Love of Roswell, Georgia; Jody (Doug) Holloway of Akron, Ohio and Margaret Kelley of Marietta, Georgia; who survive. He is also survived by his baby brother, Dudley, of Fort Myers, Florida; four grandchildren- Hunter, Colton and Lillian Holloway, and Florence Kelley, a special nephew Christopher (Cheryl) Smith and their boys, Ben, Josh, Marshall, Noah, Nathaniel, and Marcus. He leaves many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews to cherish their memories of him. He also is survived by four foreign exchange students that lived with Katherine and him during their senior years of High School; Lila Lennert of Greenland, Pia Olsen of Sweden, Raul Gonzalez of Paraguay and Dr. Jaime Lopez of Columbia.
He was proceeded in death by his parents,2 brothers Marshall and Wallace; 2sisters in law Dorothy and Mary Jane, and a foreign exchange daughter, Cindy Meyers of South Africa.
He was a congenial, warm-hearted, generous man to both friends and strangers. He loved life and always had a positive outlook. He was a captain in the U.S. Army serving in WWll with the British 8th Army chasing Rommel around Africa. He was a member of the V.F.W.#1130, American Legion Post #83, and was Class President of LaPorte High School Class of 1936. He graduated from Whittenburg College in 1940, was Past President of LaPorte County Realtors Association, Founder of LaPorte Multiple Listing Association, LaPorte Lions Club, Past President of the American Tuberculosis Association, he was active in LaPorte Little Theater, member and choir member of LaPorte Presbyterian Church and First Christian Church, Hunt Club, Shoe and Slipper Dance Club of South Bend, 1963 President of LaPorte Chamber of Commerce, served on the Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors, LaPorte Airport Commission,and delivered many a meal for Meals on Wheels in LaPorte. For 30 years he played Santa Claus for the children at Riley Elementary. He and Katherine enjoyed 37 years as season ticket holders for Notre Dame Football.
He was a LaPorte business man that owned Smith Heating,John E.Smith Furniture from 1956-1970. He also owned and operated Hoosier Realty from 1968-2007.
The family would like to thank the compassionate staff of Brentwood for all the tender loving care they gave to John while he was a resident there. We would also like to thank Golden Living nurses Carrie, Jamie, Eric, and Cheryl and aid Cheryl for all the kindness they shared with John during his last days. Lastly, thank you to Dr. Wheeland for all of his caring and compassion while treating John as his patient.
Friends will be received at Cutler Funeral Home from 2-5 PM Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 10am on Monday, September 27 with Pastor Jay Loucks officiating. Internment will follow in the Pine Lake Cemetery, with full military honors provided by the LaPorte Honor Guard.
Contributions may be made to the V.F.W. #1130 or the American Legion Post #83.
Friends may leave condolences for the family at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.