John N. Smith

John Nedric Smith, 83, peacefully passed away on June 23, 2023.

He was born on July 21, 1939, in Coon Rapids, IA.  His family moved to Des Moines, IA, where he grew up on a farm and graduated from Lincoln High School.  He went on to meet the love of his life, Lynda Hoover.  They married and moved to Ankeny in 1960 where he made his career with John Deere.  John enjoyed riding his motorcycles, showing his collector cars, lifting weights daily and spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.  He was a kind, moral man and was respected and loved by everyone.

John is preceded in death by his father, Donald Smith; his mother, Bethel Smith; brother, Michael Smith; sister, Donna Bales and son-in-law, John Gilbert.

Those left behind are his wife, Lynda; his children, Terry Gilbert, Mike (Leslie) Smith and Rodney (Heidi) Smith; his grandchildren, Christopher (Roxana) Fontana, Jonathan Fontana, Stephanie (Roel) Fontana, Alex (Russell) Tippy, Anthony Smith and ten great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023 at Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut Street, Ankeny, with the visitation in the church foyer from 11 am - 12 Noon, church service from 12 Noon - 12:30 pm and a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.