John LaVern Smith, 86, left his earthly life to spend the rest of eternity with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior and all the saints who have gone before by faith in God’s son, Jesus.   He died Saturday morning August 12, 2017 at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster, Ohio surrounded by the love of his family.   His death was caused by pneumonia, a complication of Alzheimer’s.  
Born in Akron, Ohio on January 29, 1931 to Ransom Ralph and Neva Ida Burkhammer Smith, he lived his formative years in Gassaway, West Virginia near his parents’ families.   At the age of eleven, his mother and the children returned to Akron after the death of his father.   He resided there until 1978 when he moved to Wooster, Ohio.   Throughout his life he worked in retail management, city government, accounting and manufacturing.   He obtained a degree in business administration from Kent State University.   He was a 50+ year member of the YMCA and won the Norm Elder Award for his leadership in the Akron YMCA.  
He had a great love and fervor for freely sharing the saving message of the Gospel and enjoyed studying end times. Most recently, he attended Wooster Church of the Nazarene.   In addition, John will be remembered for his love of iced tea, sweet tooth, elephant obsession, ability to brighten anyone’s day with compliments and encouragement, as well as his never ending unconditional love.  
He married Mary Louise Moore 54 years ago on March 2, 1963 at the first wedding ever held at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Tallmadge, Ohio.   He will be greatly missed by her.   He is survived by his brother Robert Eugene (Helen) Smith and sister Nancy Rae (Carroll Peach) Lewis and by his children Victoria Rae (Scott) Weiner, Cheryl Lynn Cottingham, Steven Ralph (Erica) Smith, Christopher Allan (Louise) Smith, Daniel John (Kelly) Smith, and Laura Elizabeth (Josh) Schrader.   The grandchildren include Katherine and Elizabeth Hunt, Kyra Weiner, Jessica Stone Scott, Mack Cottingham, Dominique Carano, Stephanie Nacin, Danelle Ishino, Ben Kantorowski, Jordan Beggs, Justin and Claire Smith, as well as Olivia and Abigail Schrader.   Great grandchildren include Trenton, Tyler, Hunter and Aradia Cottingham, Julia Stone, Maya Scott, Anthony AJ and Kayla Nacin.   He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers William and Ralph Smith, nephews Gary A. Smith and William L. Moore III.      
Calling hours will be Wednesday, August 16th from 6-8 pm at McIntire, Bradham and Sleek Funeral Home in Wooster, Ohio.   The burial will be Thursday, August 17th at 10:30 am at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.    Following the burial, a memorial service will occur at 1 pm at McIntire, Bradham and Sleek Funeral Home in Wooster, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be given to LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, Ohio or the Alzheimer’s Association, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102.  
Online condolences may be left at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
 

Memorial Contributions
Memorial contributions may be given to LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, Ohio or the Alzheimer’s Association, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102.

Service
The burial will be Thursday, August 17th at 10:30 am at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.    Following the burial, a memorial service will occur at 1 pm at McIntire, Bradham and Sleek Funeral Home in Wooster, Ohio.

Visitation
Calling hours will be Wednesday, August 16th from 6-8 pm at McIntire, Bradham and Sleek Funeral Home in Wooster, Ohio