John Louis Smith

John Louis Smith, 77 of Marquette Heights, IL stepped into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 surrounded by his loving wife, Janet and their 3 children, Robyn, Donna, and Tom.

John was born December 13, 1941 to Eugene & Beulah (Thomas) Smith in Parkersburg, IL.

John loved his country and was a great patriot.  He served in the US Army and was a member of the 1st Infantry Division known as "The Big Red One".  He was deployed for a tour in Vietnam as a General Supply Specialist making sure their division was properly equipped and supplied. Upon returning from Vietnam, he married his dream girl, Janet Kay Reid on July 24, 1966 at Creve Coeur Christian Church.  

John and Janet started a family, and he loved their family with all of his heart.  He is survived by wife Janet, daughter Robyn (Robert) Finley, Donna (Robert) Atteberry, and Thomas (Sabrina) Smith.  John adored his grandchildren Caleb Finley, Hannah (Russell) Dunne, Lydia Atteberry, Cheyenne (Kyle) Hughes, Sierra Atteberry, Kody Phillips, John Houston, Thomas Houston, Donna Smith and 2 great-grandchildren Mia and Ewan. His parents and one brother, Robert Smith preceded him in death.

John worked at Caterpillar for 40 years with most of his time in the Mapleton Foundry.  He enjoyed his time with CAT and cherished his friends there.  

On his free time, he enjoyed being with the family, riding his motorcycle, helping family fix things (he could fix anything), eating homemade ice cream, watching NASCAR (cheering on anything Ford), and spending time at the gun range with his children & grandchildren.  His yard was always impeccable, and he took much pride in keeping his Fords clean.  He enjoyed being outside watching the neighborhood kids play and loved it when they called him "Grandpa John".  If he sat down, he'd fall asleep in about 2 minutes with a puppy or 2 (or 3) on his lap.  He loved their dogs, Buddy, Annabelle and Grace.  He enjoyed going to Florida with Janet during the winter months, where he'd surely make his daily trip to Wal-Mart.  John was a Charter Member of Revive Church in East Peoria and was so excited for the new church that he was a part of.  

John wants you to one day join him in Heaven and hopes that you will accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  

Please join the family to celebrate John's life:
Friday, April 26 from 5-7 pm there will be an Open House (no receiving line) at: 

Revive Church
3212 Springfield Rd 
East Peoria, IL 61611

Saturday, April 27, 2019 there will be a 10:00 a.m. visitation at Revive Church followed by an 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life Service also at the church. A graveside service will follow at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, Military Honors will be rendered. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Revive Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Louis Smith, please visit our floral store.