John Robert Smith, 61, of Rootstown, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2014. He was born on June 12, 1952 in Phoenix, Arizona, he was the son of Gerald (Mary) Smith and Rose (Bill) Bowe. John was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Vietnam War. He was involved in the American Legion (Legion Riders) Post 331 of Ravenna, VFW Post 8040 of Buffalo, Ohio, Rolling Thunder Ohio Chapter 2, and the DAV. Survivors include his loving wife of 38 years, Donna (Browning) Smith of Rootstown; sons, Shawn Miller of Atwater, Robbie Smith of Missouri, Rodney Miller of Atwater, and John (Iris) Smith of Rootstown; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; step-mother, Mary Smith of Senecaville, Ohio; sisters, Donna Harper of Brimfield, Pearl (Robert) Coole of Kentucky, and Carla Snyder of Senecaville, Ohio; brother, Jerry (Annette) Waltenburger of Kent; and a host of family and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Smith and Rose (Bill) Bowe. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 11 AM at the Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Home, Ravenna Chapel. Inurnment will follow at Grandview Memorial Park., Ravenna Ohio
