James D. Smith

James D. “JD” Smith, 83 of Huntington passed away Monday morning, December 26, 2011 at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was a 1949 graduate of Central High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He worked as an installation supervisor for GTE for 30 years, retiring in 1994. He was a lead guitarist and vocalist of a band he formed called The Working Men for 30 years. He was a member of the VFW Post 2689 of Huntington. He loved music and put together numerous CD’s of his family singing. He dearly loved the Lord and enjoyed reading the Bible.

He was born on February 22, 1928 in Crossville, Tennessee, the son of Clive E. and Edith V. (Gibson) Smith.

He was united in marriage to Joyce A. Smith on February 12, 1970 in Fort Wayne. His wife survives.

Additional survivors include six daughters: Sharon Winkler of Lansing, MI; Gloria Hall of Kouts, IN; Jacque Heller of Huntington; Kathy Sims of Columbia City; Sherri Clark of Huntington; Tammy Stanley of Huntington; three sons: Robert Smith of Liberty Center; Michael Heller of Huntington; Wesley Heller of Huntington; twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister: Virginia Parker, a grandson: Robert Winkler, a great granddaughter: Dallas Rae Jean Clay and a great grandson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2011 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, Indiana.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 2:00 pm following visitation at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel.

Interment will be at the Star of Hope Cemetery in Huntington County.

Memorials are to The Smith Family in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.