John Alfred Smith, age 83, of rural Blooming Prairie, died Saturday morning, Oct. 15, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Center in Albert Lea.

He was born April 16, 1922, in Anoka, the son of George H. and Jessie “Irene” (Vandecar) Smith. He attended school in the Coon Rapids area. John served with the United States Army during World War II attaining the rank of Private First Class. On Feb. 20, 1949, he was united in marriage to Gladys “Lavonne” Jolson at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, rural Austin. The couple has lived and farmed in the Blooming Prairie area since 1959. John like to read, play checkers with his grandchildren and mow his lawn. John also enjoyed going for rides and watching the birds and squirrels in his yard. He was a member of Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife, Gladys “Lavonne” Smith of rural Blooming Prairie; four children: Doug (Diane) Smith of Geneva, Susan (George) Schechinger of Adams, Paul (Jackie) Smith of Blooming Prairie, and Carol (Doug) Harvey of Owatonna; one daughter-in-law, Jean Smith of Fairmont; 12 grandchildren: Erik Smith, Sara Ihrke, Matthew Smith, Adam Smith, Nicholas Smith, Craig Schechinger, Angela Schechinger, Jared Smith, Jessica Smith, Derek Harvey, Alyssa Harvey and Logan Harvey; five great-grandchildren; two brothers: George (Karen) Smith of Parkers Prairie, and David (Margie) Smith of Anoka; two sisters: Gladys (Gene) Karpe, and Judy (Tom) Crute, all of Anoka; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

His parents; son, Tom Smith, in 1989; one sister and one brother preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church with the Rev. Bruce Falksen officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Worlein

Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and one hour prior the service at the church. Interment will follow the service in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery with military honors by members of the Blooming Prairie American Legion and VFW.

Casket bearers will be Erik Smith, Matthew Smith, Nicholas Smith, Craig Schechinger, Jared Smith, Adam Smith, Derek Harvey and Logan Harvey. Honorary casket bearers will be Sara Ihrke, Jessica Smith, Angela Schechinger and Alyssa Harvey.