John E. Smith Sr.

John E. Smith, Sr., 81, of Bucyrus, died Friday, July 12, 2013 at Heartland of Bucyrus following an extended illness.



John was born December 14, 1931 in Kirby, Ohio to the late Virgil and Lucille (Aungst) Smith. John learned the value of hard work at a young age by spending many long days working on the farm. In 1950 he took a job at Swan and worked there until enlisting with the US Army and served during the Korean Conflict driving truck. Following his service to our county, John returned to Swan and continued his hard work until retiring in 1997.



On June 16, 1957, John married Mary Lou Augenstein and she preceded him in death on August 26, 1997. John believed in providing for his family and in addition to working at Swan, he owned and operated Smith's Lawn Mower Shop, where he serviced thousands of lawn mowers throughout the years.



John had a quiet but steady and constant relationship with Christ. He attended church at the Bucyrus Bible Church and made sure he was in attendance whenever able. He enjoyed sitting at Walmart just so he could watch people and he looked forward to joining friends for his daily morning visit to McDonald's to talk about whatever.



In addition to working on lawn mowers, John loved watching his grandsons play football and in the past he enjoyed hunting and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.



He is survived by his children, John E. Smith, Jr. of Bucyrus, Susan (Rev. Mark) Teets of Dewittville, NY, Annie (Jonathon) Wilfer-Kaehr of Decatur, Ind. and David (Tammy) Smith of Yorba Linda, Calif.; grandchildren, Jeremy (Laura) Teets, Joshua David Teets, Rachel Teets, Eric (Emily) Wilfer, Ryan Wilfer, Bailey, Brayton and Grayson Kaehr, Justin Smith, Joshua Holley and Kacie (Paul) Kalb. Also surviving are a brother, Gilbert (Marci) Smith, a half-brother, Dick (Mary) Stansberry both of Marion and a sister, Mary Hudson of Medina.



John is preceded in death by brothers, Russell, Robert and Don Smith and a son-in-law, David Wilfer.



John's family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday, July 15 at Wise Funeral Service, where his funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday with Rev. David Layton and Rev. Mark Teets officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery where full military rites will be provided by the American Legion Post 181 and US Army Honor Guards.



Memorial contributions may be given to the Bucyrus Bible Church through the funeral home.



Visitation:

Monday, July 15, 2013 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Service:

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:00 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Cemetery:

Oakwood Cemetery, 835 Kaler Ave., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820