IN LOVING MEMORY OF
James W.
"Jw" Smith
October 13, 2015
Obituary
EDWARDSBURG, Mich. — James Wesley "J.W." Smith, 65, of Edwardsburg, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, at his residence.
He was born Oct. 30, 1949, in Chicago, to James Alvin and Lecta (Simpson) Smith.
Survivors include five daughters, Kim (Chris) Taft of Green Bay, Wis., Michele Borowski of Gatlinburg, Tenn., Nicole Borowski of Alexandria, and Jamie Borowski and Lecta Smith, both of Mishawaka; two sons, Anthony (Teri Jean) Smith of Eldorado, Wis., and Matthew (Debbie) Smith of Clearbrook, Minn.; one brother, Ronnie (Ellen) VanDoren of Westchester, Ill.; three sisters, Carolyn (Jose) VanDoren of Sauk Village, Ill., and Patricia VanDoren and Phyllis Des Remaux, both of Naperville, Ill.; and 16 grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Heidi Ann Badman Smith; one son, James W. Smith Jr.; one brother, Scott Smith; one grandson, Christopher Borowski; and one granddaughter, Angel Borowski.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed overseas during the Vietnam War.
J.W. was employed as a diesel mechanic for several years prior to his retirement.
He often enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, cooking, and also enjoyed doing automobile and motorcycle repair and restorations. He was an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast.
The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the 3 p.m. celebration of life service Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Steven Steele will officiate. Private graveside services will be at a later date in Fairmont Willow Hills Memorial Park in Willow Springs, Ill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or a local VFW Post in memory of J.W.
He was born Oct. 30, 1949, in Chicago, to James Alvin and Lecta (Simpson) Smith.
Survivors include five daughters, Kim (Chris) Taft of Green Bay, Wis., Michele Borowski of Gatlinburg, Tenn., Nicole Borowski of Alexandria, and Jamie Borowski and Lecta Smith, both of Mishawaka; two sons, Anthony (Teri Jean) Smith of Eldorado, Wis., and Matthew (Debbie) Smith of Clearbrook, Minn.; one brother, Ronnie (Ellen) VanDoren of Westchester, Ill.; three sisters, Carolyn (Jose) VanDoren of Sauk Village, Ill., and Patricia VanDoren and Phyllis Des Remaux, both of Naperville, Ill.; and 16 grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Heidi Ann Badman Smith; one son, James W. Smith Jr.; one brother, Scott Smith; one grandson, Christopher Borowski; and one granddaughter, Angel Borowski.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed overseas during the Vietnam War.
J.W. was employed as a diesel mechanic for several years prior to his retirement.
He often enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, cooking, and also enjoyed doing automobile and motorcycle repair and restorations. He was an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast.
The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the 3 p.m. celebration of life service Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Steven Steele will officiate. Private graveside services will be at a later date in Fairmont Willow Hills Memorial Park in Willow Springs, Ill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or a local VFW Post in memory of J.W.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James W. "Jw" Smith, please visit our flower store.
Services
Celebration Of Life Service
October
21
Billings Funeral Home
Starts at 3:00 pm