John R. Smith
John R. “Jack” Smith, 77, of Eden entered eternal life on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016 surrounded by family at the St. Francis Nursing Home in Fond du Lac. Jack was born in Fond du Lac on March 16, 1939, the son of Clarence and Frieda (nee Fell) Smith and resided in the Town of Eden his entire life. He graduated from Campbellsport High School in 1957. He started to haul bulk milk to Sealtest and Borden’s in Milwaukee for Jim and Margaret Whitty in 1957. On November 5, 1960, he married the love of his life, Beatrice A. Reilly at St. Mary’s in Eden. They were blessed to celebrate 55 years of marriage. On March 1, 1979, he purchased his own milk hauling business from Jack and Irene Majerus. He hauled milk to Stella Cheese in Campbellsport until their closing and then hauled to Baker Cheese and Family Daries. He received an award from the International Milk Haulers Association for over 50 years in the milk hauling business. Jack was always a very supportive husband after Beatrice founde d Smith Insurance Agency now known as Smith & Hatch Insurance Agency. He was a member of the Shepherd of the Hills Parish in Eden, Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus, charter member of the Eden Lions Club, Eden Fireman’s Association, Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association and Empire Threshing Association. Jack and Beatrice enjoyed traveling together and went on several cruises and other trips both in the United States and abroad. He enjoyed bowling and playing cards with friends. The three most important words in Jack’s life were God, family and friends.
Jack will be greatly missed by his loving wife Beatrice “Bea”, his brothers Dr. Rodney L. Smith of Hazel Green, Dale Smith and Robert (Sharon) Smith of Eden and his aunt Eleanor Sesing, He is further survived by his in-laws, Marlene (Robert H.) Hatch, Richard Reilly, Joan (Bill) Buerger and Patti Reilly. His nieces and nephews: Corey (Kristie) Smith, Kevin (Kerry) Smith, Nichole (Brian) Berres, Robert L. (Tammy) Hatch, Bill (Laurie) Hatch, Carol (Mark) Damit, Cathy (Mark) Daniels, Steve (Lori) Reilly, Tom (Julie) Buerger, Tim (Karyn) Buerger, Mary (Tim) Lueck, Brian Reilly, Julie (Mike) Hewitt, Jodi (Tim) Kohlman and Dan Sitter and great nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, in laws Leo and Fern Reilly, nephew Gary Reilly, niece Christine (Buerger) Sitter and great nephew Tommy Leo Reilly.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Oct. 29th at 10:30 AM at Shepherd of the Hills Catholic Church, W1562 County Road B, Eden. Rev. Mark Jones will officiate and family burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Eden.
Visitation will be Friday October 28th from 3:00PM until 8:00 PM at the Twohig Funeral Home, 305 Fond du Lac Avenue, Fond du Lac and Saturday Oct.29th at Shepherd of the Hills Church from 9:00 AM until time of Mass. An Irish celebration and luncheon will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Eden Lions Club, Shepherd of the Hills Tuition Assistance or Sarnelli House in Thailand (Fr. Mike Shea). The family would like to thank the staff at the St. Francis Home for all their kind and compassionate care over the past 5 years.
Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with online guestbook and condolences at www.twohigfunerals.com