John Michael “Johnny” Smith, 76, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022 at The Pines in Kirksville.
Born October 24, 1946 in Kirksville, Missouri, Johnny was the son of Rollie Dale and Lila Norine (Wright) Smith. On October 7, 2006 in Nevada, Missouri, Johnny was united in marriage to Zelda Steele who survives. He is also survived by his father, Rollie Smith of Kirksville, MO; two sons, Michael Smith of Kirksville, MO, and Bill Smith of Valley Falls, KS; two daughters, Carla (Gary) Mayer of Baring, MO, and Michelle Hughes of Des Moines, IA; one sister, Susie (Smith) Patten of Marceline, MO; five grandchildren, Rachel (Lance) Pelc, Tyler Smith, Cassidy (Marcus) Smith, Ashley Mayer, and Megan Mayer and fiancé, Brandon Hudnall; brother-in-law, Ralph (Vicky) Steele; sister-in-law, Marieta (John J.) Allen; as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother Norine; mother-in-law, Evadene Steele; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Wilda Steele, and his nephew, Jeffry Allen.
Johnny was a graduate of Kirksville High School with the Class of 1964. He was a proud thirty year Veteran of the United States Army, Reserves, and National Guard. Johnny worked at Donaldson’s as a fork lift operator until it closed. He then drove a truck until September 2020.
Johnny was a great person who always saw the good in people. he enjoyed visiting with family and friends; taking care of birds and his cats were very important to him. He also enjoyed the farmers market on Saturday’s, and did the yearly Polar Bear Plunge for many years along side of his granddaughter, Megan Mayer.
He was a member of the First Methodist Church and Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1751 of Kirksville.
Public visitation will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. service time in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022 with Doug Athon presiding. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Yarrow Cemetery in Yarrow, Missouri.
Pallbearers will be Michael Smith, Bill Smith, Ralph Steele, John J. Allen, Gary Mayer, and Derek Grgurich.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Johnny may be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.