James "Jim" Edward Smith

James Edward “Jim” Smith, 76, of DeBary, Fla., formerly of Peotone, died suddenly on Sunday, August 5, 2018, of a pulmonary hemorrhage in High Hill, Mo., as he and his wife were on a three-month trip to visit family and friends across the country, including Peotone.

Born September 18, 1941, at his parents’ home at the corner of Conrad and Wood Streets in Peotone, he attended Peotone schools and was a U.S. Army veteran. He lived in Peotone for much of his life on Corning and Blaine Streets. His first wife was Lolita Blume. On March 1, 1985, he married Linda Potts, formerly of Hoopeston, at Immanuel Church in Peotone. He received a degree from Kankakee Community College, with a 4.0 GPA. He then ran Temp-Rite Repair, a heating, cooling and refrigeration business. He and Linda retired in 2001, sold their Peotone property, and moved into their motor home to travel the country for 13 years. He was fortunate enough to combine the things he loved – the adventure of traveling with his wife by his side and visiting his children, family and friends throughout this great country. They finally settled in DeBary, Fla., in 2014, continuing their travels whenever they could.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Linda; five children, Michael (Gina) Smith of Apex, N.C., Jeffrey (Heather) Smith of Portland, Ore., Tary Putnam of Joliet, Joseph (Nancy) Roberts III of Virginia Beach, Va., and Laura (Lindsey) Scheidt of DeBary, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Esther Wichtendahl Smith; and twin baby grandsons.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2019, at Blurton Funeral Home, 309 E. Washington, Hoopeston, with Pastor Molly Spence Hawke officiating.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.  Burial will follow the service in Floral Hill Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Motel 70 930 Tree Farm Road, High Hill, MO 63350.  Memories or photos may shared with the family on his everlasting memorial page at: www.BlurtonFuneralHomes.com.

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