John V. Smith

KALIDA – John V. Smith, 81, of Kalida, died at 8:44 p.m. on Thursday, November 25, 2021 at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus.  He was born on June 25, 1940 in Kalida to the late Gilbert and Regina (Heitmeyer) Smith.  On September 10, 1960, he married Ruth Recker, she survives in Kalida.

John is also survived by five children: Cindy (Dave) Erhart, Steve (Mary) Smith, both of Kalida, Deb (Greg) Ellerbrock of Ottawa, Rhonda (Gary) Siefker, and Jill (Craig) Kuhlman both of Kalida; fourteen grandchildren: Amanda (Craig) Recker, Kevin (Alexandria) Erhart, Tyler (Shelby) Erhart, Ryan (Brittany) Smith, Shawn (Katie) Smith, Amy (Luke) Schimmoeller, Erica (Luke) Karhoff, Lee (Nicole) Ellerbrock, Kara Siefker, Adam Siefker, Allie Kuhlman, Grady Kuhlman, Mitchell Kuhlman, and Kate Kuhlman; ten great-grandchildren: John, Will, Claire, Greta and Charlotte Recker, Leo Erhart, Caroline, Evelyn, Olivia and Scarlett Smith; and three sisters: Mary Ann Schroeder of Columbus Grove,  Alice (Jim) Flaherty of Hummelstown, PA., and Helen Unverferth of Kalida.

He is preceded in death a brother, Kenny Smith; a sister, Diane Smith; and two brothers-in-law, John Schroeder and Bob Unverferth.

John retired from Ford in 1999, he was also a lifelong farmer.  He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida as well as its Holy Name Society, and Parish Council.  John served on the board of directors for the Kalida Telephone Company for many years.  He was also a member of the Kalida K of C, Ottawa Eagles and Kalida Fish and Game.  John enjoyed volunteering at the Ottawa Food Pantry.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 29, 2021 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida with Father Mark Hoying officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church, Putnam County Homecare or a charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com

Putnam County Homecare and Hospice
575 OG Road Suite 3, PO Box 312, Ottawa OH 45875
Tel: 1-419-523-4449
Web: http://www.pchh.net

Donor's Choice

St. Michael's Catholic Church
Kalida OH 45853