John Smith

John Smith died Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at Life Care Center of Longmont at the age of 89. He was born Wednesday, October 9, 1918, in Fredericktown, MO, the son of John O. and Kathryn B. Muellersman Smith. John Smith enlisted in the Army Air Corps July 17, 1941, and was assigned to the 84th Squadron of the 47th Bomb Group. During World War II he was stationed in Naples, Foggia, Rome-Arno, Sicily, Tunisia, South France, Algeria, and French Morocco. John was discharged September 13, 1945 as Private First Class and was awarded 6 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Metal, 5 Overseas Service Bars, and Unit Citation. He married Wanda P. Walter on June 23, 1947, in Fredericktown, Missouri. John spent the majority of his career working and managing the parts department of GM auto dealerships. John retired to Mountain Home from Palatine, IL in 1984. He was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Eucharistic Minister, and a Member of the Holy Name Society, American Legion and V.F.W. Survivors: John Smith is survived by his son, Paul J. (Debbie) Smith of Clarkridge, AR, daughter, Sherry L. (Jim) Goerlitz of Longmont, CO and 4 grandchildren, Jennifer and Sara Goerlitz, Michelle (Chris) Vergez and Matthew Smith. Preceded in Death by: His wife of 60 years, Wanda P. Smith and his parents preceded him in death. Visitation: Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. Sunday, July 6, with a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Funeral: Funeral Mass for John J. Smith of Longmont, CO, formerly of Mountain Home, will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 7, 2008, at St. Peter The Fisherman Catholic Church, with Reverend Charles Kanu as celebrant. Burial: Entombment will be in the Kirby's Tucker Memorial Mausoleum, Mountain Home, AR Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation. Active Bearers: Thomas Elder, Dale Lakin, Brian Schwartz, Edward Moranz as pallbearers Additional Notes: Military Honors by Alley-White American Legion Post #52, and services by Knights of Columbus #7353.