John E. Smith, 95, Green Bay, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 23, 2022, at Allouez Parkside Village. He was born October 28, 1927, in West De Pere, son of the late Louie and Nettie (Thyssen) Smith.

On September 11, 1947, he was united in marriage to Anna Ruth Turriff. They celebrated 72 years of marriage together before Anna passed away in April 2020.

After his short WWII naval career, he started with the Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company as a lineman in October 1947. John was called back to naval service for a short time in Korea. Once back on U.S. soil, he continued with the phone company, later retiring as a field engineer in 1984. He took great pride in his "telephony" work for Telephone Pioneers of America, by installing and repairing phones for the elderly and repairing books-on-cassette tape.

John also enjoyed lapidary, creating various rings, broaches, and other pieces of jewelry from raw stone. John and Anna proudly brought these creations to local craft fairs, selling them for a profit. Additionally, the pair volunteered at Bellin Hospital for many years.

While living on Green Bay, John ordered and assembled a catamaran kit and sailed it somewhat irregularly on the Bay. The Smith family also enjoyed weekend camping trips starting out in a tent, gradually upgrading to a trailer. This culminated in a western U.S. adventure, for elder son Bruce, at the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Philmont Boy Scout Camp in Cimarron, NM. In later years, John also served as financial guardian to several elderly individuals, many without family, ensuring financial security as they neared passing.

John is survived by his children; Karen Mills, Peter (Mae) Smith, and Paula Liska. His grandchildren; Patrick and Reva, as well as two great grandchildren; Hailey and Maxwell.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Ruth, and son and daughter-in-law; Bruce (Kay) Smith.

Family and friends may visit Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N. Tenth Street, De Pere, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Services will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Meggan Farwell, military honors will conclude the service.

Per family wishes, a burial will follow in spring 2023, at Lawrence "Cady" Cemetery in the Township of Lawrence.