James Smith

James W. Smith, 90 of Van Wert, died at 8:59 p.m., Wednesday February 13, 2019 at the C.H.P.- Inpatient Hospice Center in Van Wert.

He was born on July 1, 1928, in Huntington County, Indiana the son of the late Charles and Ethel (Settlemyre) Smith.  On September 24, 1949, he married the former Geraldine L. Drabenstot, who preceded him in death on January 5, 2017.  

Jim had a long work career starting with working on his grandfather’s farm while still in school. He worked at General Electric, then for over 40 years as an operator on the Erie-Lackawanna and Conrail Railroads. In addition, he did radio and television repair for many years. He was an active member of the First Church of God in Van Wert having served as Sunday School teacher, superintendent, treasurer and singing in the choir. He served on the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Auxiliary and was a long time member of the Van Wert Outdoorsman Club and the National Rifle Association. Jim had a great sense of humor and always wanted to make people smile. He enjoyed the outdoors and hunting.

Jim and Geraldine never had any kids, because Jim said that would make him an “old goat”, but they had three children, Charles J. (Brenda) Smith of Rockford and Harold D. (Carol) Smith of Van Wert and Susan (Ray) Hill of Van Wert. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren; and one great grandson.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Eileen Bunker and Lois Buzzard.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, February 18, at the First Church of God, officiated by Pastors Ray Hill, Ben Brigham and Stan Harmon. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Roanoke, Indiana.  Visitation is scheduled for 2-5 p.m., Sunday and one hour ahead of the service on Monday, all at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made the First Church of God or C.H.P.-Inpatient Hospice Center.

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