Johnnie Smith

Johnnie Junior Smith, 83, of West Liberty, Ohio, passed away Thursday March 11, 2010, at his home. He was born August 19, 1926, in Scioto County Ohio, a son of James F. and Rosa B. (Gillium) Smith who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were three brothers; David, George and William, a sister Stella Beezler, and a granddaughter, Stacy McCullough.

Johnnie is survived by his wife of sixty one years Arlene E. (Mefford), whom he married in Greenup, Kentucky on April 29, 1948. Also surviving are three sisters, Clara Brown of Bellefontaine, Ohio, Betty Wilcoxon of DeGraff, Ohio, and Ruth Ross of Sidney, Ohio; three sons, David J., Gary F. (Jayne), and Duane A. (Jackie); and a daughter, Carolyn M. (Bill) Roberts, all of West Liberty. Johnnie and Arlene have ten grandchildren; Melissa Williams, Lisa Smith, Tiann Harner, Angela Smith, Jessica Smith, Anthony Smith, Tyson Roberts, Joshua Smith, Tyler Smith and Austin Smith. They also have eleven great grandchildren.

Johnnie served in the Army between February 22, 1945 and September 18, 1947, and was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1080 in Bellefontaine. He retired from the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in 1988.

Johnnie was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved to work on family and neighbor’s cars, trucks and tractors. A devoted husband, father, brother and “grandpa”, he will be remembered for his generosity, love of life and love of family.

The family will welcome friends and neighbors at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Monday, March 15, 2010. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor John Bowman and Pastor Richard Thompson officiating. A committal service with military honors by the Logan County Honor Guard will immediately follow the funeral service at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in West Liberty.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Johnnie’s name to the West Liberty Emergency Medical Service 201 N. Detroit Street West Liberty, OH 43357 and/or the Church of Christ in Christian Union 1669 County Road 11 Bellefontaine, OH 43311-9745

The staff at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty assisted the family with the arrangements.

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