John Smith

John J. Smith, 69, of the Mapleleaf Apartments in Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Sunday, July 18, 2010 at his home. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jerry VanHooser of the Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the American Lung Association in his memory. Born in Waterbury, CT, on June 23, 1941, John Joseph was the son of John C. and Josephine Mulliville Smith. He was a graduate of Crosby High School in Waterbury. He had a degree from New York State Culinary School and a Bachelor's degree in psychology. In June of 1962 he married Rita Grenier in Watertown, CT. The couple later divorced. Four years ago, John moved to Mt. Pleasant. John enjoyed cooking and was a chef on oil rigs off of the gulf coast of the United States and a chef in Shreveport, LA, area. His best friend and full-time companion was his dog, Tinkerbell. He enjoyed visiting with people and making friends. John was an avid sports fan who liked watching baseball, basketball, and football. Survivors include a daughter Penny (Sam) Tajeddin of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a son Michael Gibson of New Hampshire; and eight grandchildren, John Smith, Raymond, Christopher, Mike, Robert, and Angelina Mastropiertro, and Criss and Sira Tajeddin. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Leanna Lange, Rose Smith, Kaitlyn, Benjamin, Ray Jr., and Annabelle Mastropietro. John was preceded in death by his parents.