John Smith

John Zelmer Smith, 71, of Scott City died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 30, 1939, in Illmo, to John Henry and Mary Elizabeth Lynn Smith. He and Gladys Sue Raines were married April 7, 1963, in Illmo.

Smith was a retired conductor with Cotton Belt Railroad. He had formerly worked as custodian and bus driver at Scott City Schools, worked at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel, and was a work trustee at Eisleben Lutheran Church. He was a member of Eisleben Church and United Transportation Union. He served as mayor of Illmo and was a former city councilman in Illmo and Scott City.

Survivors include his wife; a son, John (Rhonda) Smith of Scott City; two daughters, Leslie (Greg) Kriete of Columbia, Mo., Anita Smith of Scott City; four brothers, Loyd, Frank, Tom and Jim Smith, all of Scott City; two sisters, Addie Mae (Junior) Russom of Scott City, Mary Lee (Joe) Davis of Cape Girardeau; three grandsons, Connor Kriete, Dalton and Carson Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City and from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday at Eisleben Lutheran Church.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Rick Foss officiating. Burial will be in Eisleben Cemetery.