James M. "Jim" Smith

KIMMELL, IN - James, “Jim” Matthew Smith, 85; passed away October 3, 2009, at his residence in Kimmell after a lengthy illness. He was born in January of 1924 to Edward and Ada Smith in Keokee County Virginia. Jim lived in the Kimmell area for the past thirty years. He worked as a wire mill foreman for Essex Wire.


Jim served in the Army and was a member of American Legion Post 243 in Ligonier, Indiana. He was also a member of the Eagles.


His family will remember Jim as an awesome story teller and as a hard worker. He was a southern gentleman. They also will remember him as a great cook and an avid fisherman. On a personal note, he was referred to as a “good father-in-law”, “a loving grandfather”, and “a loving father”. He enjoyed taking the family swimming; and on one occasion, he would not let them go swimming until they ate some liver he had prepared for them. The family will miss his green fried tomatoes and his hush puppies with onions. He always kept suckers for the grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.


Jim loved his family. Along with his parents, his wife Lorell preceded him in death in November of 2004. Jim was also preceded in death by two infant sons; five brothers; Russell Smith, Benton Smith, Ray Smith, Alfred Smith, and Wayne Smith all preceded Jim as well. One sister, Maxine Morris also preceded him in death.


Mr. Smith is survived by three daughters; Sherry (Russell) Jackson of Kimmell, Shirley (Wylie) Miller of Phoenix, AZ. Susan Grosjean of Fort Wayne, Indiana also survives. He is survived by only one sister, Agnes Duff, of Cumberland, KY. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and 14 great grand children.



Services will be held at Yeager Funeral Home; 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, Indiana. Thursday October 8, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell, Indiana. Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m and from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2009.


Pallbearers are Shane Jackson, Jeremiah Jackson, Cody Harroff, Keith Johnston, Scott Chiddister and Frank Quinn. Donations in loving memory of Jim may be directed to: Heartland Hospice of Fort Wayne.