John Smithson

John Myers Smithson, 77, Clarksville, died Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at his residence. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints with Bishop Dan Rees officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Chapel and from 9 a.m. until the hour of service Saturday at the church. Mr. Smithson was born January 8, 1934 in Bennettstown, Christian County, KY and was preceded in death by his parents, Oma Jennings and Maggie Olivia High Smithson; and his brothers, Charles, Luther and Jack Smithson. He was High Priest in Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a 1953 graduate of MCHS, a U.S. Army Veteran, formerly employed by Frosty Morn (1958-1967), was a diesel mechanic for Cummins (1967-1995) and a farmer forever. Survivors include his wife, Gracie Ford Smithson; sister, Mary Ann Jones, clarksville; daughters, Martha (Jim) Flake, Sally (Dan) Rees, both of Clarksville, Debby (Mark) Halvorson, Fairview, seventeen grandchildren and eight and a half great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be grandsons, James Flake, Jordan Flake, Brandon Halvorsen, Nathan Rees, Josh Rees, Alex Manges, Bastian Borowik, Jacob Blocker and Jaden Flake.