John “Jack” Smith

August 4, 1925 - August 12, 2015

John William “Jack” Smith, 90, Sturgis, S.D., died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Jack was born Aug. 4, 1925, at Presho,  to Perry William and Amanda (Sattler) Smith. He moved with his parents to the Hereford community in 1929, attending the Lodge and Doyle schools and Hereford High School. He started farming on his own in 1949 and worked at the Homestake Mine in Lead that winter. In March 1951, he entered the U.S. Army, serving until March 1953, mostly in the state of Washington.

On June 1, 1957, he married Edna Haley. He continued farming and ranching but also worked for Strong Construction, Hills Gas and Appliance, and Farmers Union Oil Co., Union Center. In May 1962, he rented the Gardner farm in Kennebec where they lived until he began managing the Farmers Union Oil Co. in Union Center in October 1963. In February 1973, he bought a herd of cattle and purchased a farm near Foreston, Minn. Besides doing his own farming and ranching, he did lots of custom work and rented farm land until they sold the farm and moved into Milaca, Minn., in October 1993. From September 1994 until April 2000, he worked in a factory at Princeton, Minn., rebuilding starters. He enjoyed farming for Diamond Ring Farms, Midland, and for Gary Cammack of Cammack Ranch Supply after moving back to Union Center in May of 2000.

Jack was a lover of the soil, animals (especially dogs, horses and cattle), his family, and the Lord Jesus Christ. He accepted Jesus as his savior in 1967. He was best known for his friendliness, sense of humor, hard work, willingness to help anyone, and for being a wonderful husband and father. He was a church usher and greeter for many years and was known by many of the children as "Candy Man Jack" because he gave them candy after church.

Jack is survived by his wife, Edna, Sturgis; son, Marvin, Sturgis; daughters, Tammy (Dale) Langner, Holdingford, Minn., and DeAnn (James) Brady, Pacific Grove, Calif.; grandchildren, Brianna (Tommy) Thomalla and Jake Langner, Minnesota, Trinity McCullers and Joshua Smith, Nevada, and Gypsy (Luke) Hauptman, Arizona; great-grandchildren, NaShawn McCullers, Nevada, and Nevaiah and Isaiah Geurts, Arizona; great-great-grandson, Jayden; brothers, Keith (Deloris) Smith, New Underwood, Perry (Carol) Smith, Faith, Robert Smith, Union Center, and Tom (Linda) Smith, New Underwood; sisters, Shirley (Wesley) Schuettpelz, Salem, Ore., and Nylia (Harold) Severson, Rapid City; brothers-in-law, Richard Haley, Bud Evans, Lester Main and Harold Delbridge. He leaves behind many many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Karen Delbridge; Several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and several aunts and uncles.

Services were Aug. 17, 2015, at the Central Meade County Community Center in Union Center. Private family interment services were held at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the air conditioning fund at the 

CMCCC in Union Center.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals. com.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

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