Reverend John E Smith

WEST TERRE HAUTE - Rev. John E. Smith, 88, of West Terre Haute, passed away from this life and went to be with his Lord and Savior at 1:45 p.m. November 17,2016 , in Harrison's Crossing in Terre Haute. He was born April 4,1928, in Sullivan, to Jake Smith and Versa Hayden Smith. Survivors include his children, Pamela Morgan and husband Robert, Steve Smith and wife Carolyn, all of Gatlinburg, Term., and the Rev. Randy Smith and wife Debbie of West Terre Haute; Four sisters, Maxine Holycross, Floella Edington, Frances Huff, Rosann Pallas and one brother Howard Smith, 12 grandchildren, Lisa Gentry and husband Todd, Monica Olson, Amanda Morgan, Candice Morgan, Dustin Smith and wife Jeanna, Chris Smith and wife Deirdre, Brian Smith and wife Nancy, Adam Smith and wife Whitney, Rebekah Quarcini and husband Mike Quarcini, and Sarah Carson and husband Jeremy; Heather Sharpe. 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, of nearly 64 years Thelma "Jean" Tapley Smith in 2014, and his parents. Early in life John acquired quite a talent for playing the Steele guitar, playing music with his family at church and when his father held evangelistic services, he also traveled with the Singing Harts gospel group. John and his future wife Jean had been classmates and graduated together from Sullivan High School Class of 1946. They also attended church together in Sullivan before they were married in 1950. John attended Southwestern Bible School (Southwestern Assemblies of God University of Texas) and was ordained into the Assemblies of God in 1957. John and Jean had been instrumental in their ministries together and served many churches throughout the state of Indiana. They began their ministries starting a church in Tipton, and continued to Crawfordsville, West Terre Haute, and Indiaiiapolis where John being a carpenter 'extraordinaire' built a church and multipurpose building along with a parsonage. Upon retiring, they moved back to West Terre Haute and reunited with the West Terre Haute Assembly of God Church, where he has served on staff for the past 19 years, thrilled to serve alongside his son and grandson. John was loved by all he met from his church family, those who helped serve him at dialysis and to the staff of Harrison's Crossing where he went for rehab and ending up finishing his earthly race there surrounded by not only family, but Nurses, aides and staff, that had grown so close to him during his stay to which the family is so grateful because of the extraordinary care they provided, as they went above and beyond what was required. He loved his family, church, and eating out, especially his "shrimpy." He now has begun his next chapter but not without inviting everyone he could to join him in heaven. So we don't offer a goodbye but as John said, when his departure was growing near, "I'll meet you in the morning." Funeral services for John will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday in the West Terre Haute First Assembly of God Church, 708 W. National Ave., West Terre Haute, with the Rev-. Tom Dewlen and Rev. David Wigington officiating. Visitation will be 4p.m. until service time Tuesday. There will be a private family committal service and entombment on Wednesday in the Sanctuary of Hope Mausoleum at Floral Park Cemetery in Indianapolis. The family also suggests that if friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made to West Terre Haute First Assembly of God Church with envelopes available. Fitzpatrick Funeral Home of West Terre Haute assisted with the arrangements.