John J. "Jack" Smith

John Jeremiah, better known as Jack Smith, 95, of Chillicothe, departed his temporary home on earth on September 20, 2021, to go to his final resting place with the Lord.

He was born October 31, 1925, in Ross County to the late Charles Martin Smith and the late Lulu (Pinney) Smith, the youngest of 4 children.  On February 22, 1948 he and Lillian Margaret Hoylman were united in marriage at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Chillicothe by Rev. Lyons.  Lillian departed her home here on September 1, 2004, to await his joining her in Heaven.

Three children blessed this marriage: One son, Jerry, and two Daughters, Jacqueline, and Jennifer.  Eight Grandchildren, Nancy, Jeremy, Michael, Nathan, Nikolaus, Zach, Noah, and Jordan.  Nine Great Grandchildren, Joshua, Rylee, Sophia, Olivia, Max, Caleb, Micah, Bridget, and Evelyn.  He also has many special and much- loved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother Charles “Bud” Fredrick (Ann) Smith, and two sisters, Flora Virginia (Reuben) Magill and Helen Marie (Lawrence) Lemley.

Mr. Smith was a 1942 graduate of Chillicothe High School and a 1961 graduate of Ohio University.  Mr. Smith was a WWII Veteran holding the rank of Sergeant First Class, a former coating supervisor at Mead Chilpaco Corp., and the author of several paper-coating patents, including a patent for carbonless paper.  Retiring November 1, 1990, after 34 years of service.

He was an avid student of the Bible and enjoyed many in-depth studies of both books, their history, and their authors.  He was an avid fan of bluegrass music, especially gospel songs.  He loved to play the banjo, fiddle, and mandolin.  He will be remembered by many friends for his 45 years of teaching and calling square dances.

He was a loving husband, a devoted father, a wonderful grandfather, and a remarkable great-grandfather.

He had wonderful and loving caregivers, Bridget Cockrell, who spent almost 11 years caring for him; Marilyn Bartley, who also cared for him over the past year, and Jay Detty, whom he loved dearly.  He also deeply loved his fantastic care team from National Church Residences.  He also left behind a close friend of 12 years, Barbara Wheaton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday September 24, 2021 in the FAWCETT OLIVER GLASS AND PALMER FUNERAL HOME with Rev. Kevin Greene, officiating.  Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery with military rites being conducted by the American Legion Post 142, Waverly.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from  12:00 noon until the hour of service on Friday.  If you would like instead to donate to a cause that Jack Smith held dear to his heart, please donate in his name to the Ross County Humane Society in place of flowers (https://www.rosscountyhumanesociety.org/donate).

The Fawcett Oliver Glass and Palmer Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

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