John Raymond Smith

Danville - John Raymond Smith, 87, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Thursday morning, April 10, 2014. He passed away at the North Logan Health Center where he was a resident since last fall. John was born April 22, 1926 to John Herbert and Emma Ingram Smith in Vermilion County, IL. He married Meredith Jean Douglas on December 1, 1945. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Howard L. Smith and Larry Richard Smith; one sister, Mary Ann Astell; daughter, Shelby Jean Baggett; grandson Douglas W. Mason. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Meredith J. Smith of Bismarck, IL; 3 daughters, Garnet (John) Hauger of Spring Arbor, MI, Debra (Wayne) Mason of Danville, IL, Gina (Kenneth) Anderson of Paducah, KY; one son, John Ralph (Lucy) Smith of Bismarck, IL, one brother, Herbert Dale Smith of Bismarck, IL . Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. John was a lifelong resident of Vermilion County, IL and farmed land just east of Bismarck. He, his father, and 2 brothers also ran a dairy for many years and sold milk through Producers Dairy. He loved farming and living the life of a farmer. Besides being a loving husband and father, John was a strongly spiritual man with a personal relationship of long standing with His Lord and Savior. He also had close ties to his church, Abundant Life Tabernacle, where he was a member and attended for over 64 years, serving as Secretary and Treasurer until he was 85 years of age. He will be sorely missed by family and friends, until we are able to meet him and other loved ones on the other shore. A service to celebrate the life of John will be held on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 3:00 pm at, Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A life Celebration Home in Danville with Pastor James Ford officiating. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 pm prior to the service. Burial will take place at Walnut Corner Cemetery in Bismarck, IL. Memorials can be made in his name to the Illinois Special Olympics. Please join Johns family in sharing photos, videos and memories of his life through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com