John J. Smith

John J. Smith, 98, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 7, 2024, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was surrounded by his loving family, under the care of Aspen Home Health & Hospice.

John was born July 24, 1926, in Salamanca, New York, to John Julius Smith and Ethel Schmid Smith. He grew up and attended schools in Sidney, Montana, and graduated from Sidney High School. After high school, John enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

On September 24, 1949, he married the love of his life, Janette Marie Bouchard. They were blessed with 73 years of marriage and five children: Jim, Janice, Jerry, Joel, and Jay; 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

In 1959, they moved to Great Falls, Montana, to work for Bower Hardware. In October 1972, John and Janette moved to Deer Lodge, Montana, where they opened a Ben Franklin Store. They later changed the name to J&J Variety and worked there until they closed it in 2013. They then moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 2019 to live with their daughter and son-in-law.

John was a member of the Catholic church, The Veterans of Foreign War and the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed collecting coins and stamps, photography, and woodwork.

John is survived by their children, Jim Smith of Deer Lodge, MT, Janice (Gary) Weninger of Idaho Falls, ID, Jerry (Cathy) Smith of Bozeman, MT, Joel Smith of Deer Lodge, MT, Jay (Sherry) Smith of Charlestown, IN; 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janette Smith; parents, John and Ethel Smith; two brothers, Robert A. Smith and Ivan Smith; sister, Jackie Markhardt; and granddaughter, Brianna Smith.

Graveside services will be held at the Newlon Cemetery in Sidney, Montana, in late spring.