MORGANTOWN
John M. Smith, 67, passed away all too soon Saturday morning, June 9, 2018. He was a life-long resident of Morgantown.
John was born April 30, 1951, in Franklin to his parents, the late Herschell M. and Rosemary (Terman) Smith. He was a 1969 graduate of Indian Creek High School.
John enjoyed farming and was employed by Dallas Farms in Morgantown. Prior to that, he worked as a truck driver for Mathena Trucking and drove a school bus for both Brown County and Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson United School Corps. John was known by many as the “waterman” for his hauling water to homes for many years.
He was a member of Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Martinsville. He was also a member of the Morgantown Volunteer Fire Department, where he was the treasurer for many years. In 2017, he was selected as Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Other memberships include Jackson Township Farm Bureau, Morgan County Farm Bureau, Morgan County Antique Machinery Association, Indiana Trail Riders Association, Indiana Haflingers Association, Trafalgar Young Farmers, Indiana Volunteer Fireman’s Association. He was a graduate of the Indiana Auctioneering School.
John loved his family and was especially fond of his six grandsons who called him Papaw. He was a fan of all of their activities, from FFA and sports to school events and four-wheeler racing. John also enjoyed camping, horses, playing games (especially euchre) and was a fan of NASCAR. John was a self-appointed “door holder” at many events and enjoyed welcoming people as they arrived. The Morgantown Memorial Parade was very special to John. He never missed a parade, either driving a tractor in the procession or enjoying parade entries from the sidelines.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Helen (Zupancic) Smith, whom he married Dec. 1, 1972, in Martinsville. He is also survived by his children, Clyce Smith, Max (Christie) Smith, and Jennifer Setser, all of Morgantown; siblings, JoEllen (Frank) Rowe of Bloomington and Mark Smith of Morgantown; stepsiblings, Wilma Jean (Bob) Duliba and Don (Susie) Smith, both of New York; grandchildren, Cole Setser, Tyler Weltich, Lee, Gavin, Isaac and Maverick Smith.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, in Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 1709 E. Harrison St., Martinsville. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry St., Morgantown. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery, Morgantown.
Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of John to the Morgantown Volunteer Fire Department, 269 N. Highland St., Morgantown, IN 46160; or Knights of Columbus Council #6273, 1709 E. Harrison St. Martinsville, IN 46151.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be made to the Smith Family at meredith-clark.com. Information: 812-597-4670.
