John L. Smith, 78, of rural Elida, passed away at 12:45 AM,  Friday morning December 18, 2020  in the Lima Memorial Health System from complications of Covid – 19.

He was born August 30, 1942 in Springfield, Ohio, a son of the late William E. and Mary Smith. His step-mother Katherine Shepherd Smith is also deceased. On January 12, 1963 he married Carolyn Jean Geren, who survives.

Surviving are his children, Melissa M. (Mark) Dempsey and Robert B. Smith, both of Spencerville; grandchildren, Ashley (Joe) Covay of Lima, Collin (Latisha Welsh) Walker of St. Marys, Madison (Sean) Metzger stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, Johnathon (Reba) Smith of Rockford and Derrick Smith of Spenceville, 8 great grandchildren; Alyssa Beck, Wyatt Beck, Garrett Beck, Eli Covay, Isabelle Metzger, Elizabeth Metzger, Keaton Smith and Raleigh Welsh,  and his brother James (Sue) Smith of Spencerville.

John had worked at Reliable Buffing Company and then the Trim Trends Company, both of Spencerville.

He loved being with his grandkids and his pup "Minnie" and was an old car buff, especially enjoying his 1963 Studebaker Gran Teresmo.

Private family funeral services will be held in the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville with Rev. Daniel Messner officiating. Burial will follow in the Allentown Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assn.

Condolences may be sent to     tbayliff@woh.rr.com