DECEMBER 31, 1944 - DECEMBER 7, 2022
John William Smith passed away peacefully
at the Rimbey Hospital on December 7, 2022
at the age of 77 years after a long struggle
with diabetes.
John was born in Didsbury, Alberta to parents
Bill and Lora Smith and spent his life on the farm
in the Elkton district.
He went to the Big Prairie and Cremona
schools until grade nine, then went to work
logging in the bush, on the farm and custom
hauling in the summers with his dad. After
our dad’s passing in 1983, John continued
farming with his mother, Lora and brother
Leonard as well as raised cattle, hayed and
grained crops. He enjoyed talking, farming
and going to farm auctions, seldom not
coming home with several treasures. He
spent time visiting with his friend Dwight
Barnard, who lived close by. In recent years
the farm was rented out and cattle sold, John
continued to live on the farm with his mother
and Leonard and was the driver of the family.
After Mom’s passing in 2017, John moved
into Olds to Season Encore Senior Center with
health issues caused by diabetes. Shortly
after Leonard moved into Bethany Care
Center in Didsbury for more care. John moved
several more times including from Olds, to
Viking Extended Care, to Villa Marie, Covenant
Care in Red Deer and lastly to the Rimbey
Long Term Care, as health issues continued.
John was most at home and enjoyed when
the nursing staff talked about farming. He
was interested in the news from home and
what the family and neighbors were doing.
John was predeceased by his parents Bill
and Lora Smith; two nephews Darcy Smith
and Craig Thompson. He is survived by his
brother David (Helen) Smith; sister Mary
(Barry) Thomson; brother Leonard Smith and
numerous nieces and nephews.
In keeping with John’s wishes no funeral will be
held at this time.
A family gathering will be held at a later date and
internment in the Big Prairie Cemetery.
Memorial tribute if desired can be made to
the Diabetes Association or the Kidney
Foundation.
The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude
to the nurses, staff and doctors of all the
care centers and hospitals that have cared for
John in these past years with compassion and kindness.
