John D. Smick Jr.
John D. Smick Jr, 68, entered into rest Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Mercy South / De Greeff
Hospice House in St. Louis, Missouri after a long illness. John was born in St. Louis, Missouri
on January 22nd, 1951. John was preceded in death by his parents John Smick Sr., and Kathryn (Kay) Smick and brother James Smick.
He will always be remembered by his wife Ruth Smick (Smegner), and his children Elaine
Smick, Michael (Juri) Smick and Rachel Smick.
John was the caring, generous and influential grandpa to Richey and Matt Driemeyer and
Andrew Smick.John was the older brother to Ted (Pauline) Smick and Karen (Terry) Harrelson, he was also a fun brother-in-law to Judy Correnti, John (Peachy) Smegner and the late Jerry (Barb) Smegner. He was also an uncle, cousin, and good friend.
John attended Bishop DuBourg High and was a graduate of Maplewood High School and
joined the United States Army in January of 1969. A Vietnam era veteran, John was also
stationed in Alaska and Kentucky and attained the rank of Drill Sergeant.
After leaving the military John eventually began a long career at Schnuck’s Markets in St. Louis.
Always a dependable, detailed and orderly man, John rose to Store Manager for multiple
Schnuck’s locations until his retirement. He appreciated his employees and customers, telling
endless stories of his workday experiences.
As his kids were growing up, he spent a lot of time going to sports games, helping at practices,
and in charge of the BBQ pit at the school picnics and frying fish at the Ash Wednesday Fish
Fry at St. Michael’s Parish. In later years, you couldn’t keep him from watching his grandsons
play sports on weekends.
John could make new friends in mere seconds, a selfless helper and friend to many in his
workplaces, and childhood stomping grounds, he often shared memories of adventure and
mischief. It was to the outdoors that John would feel the greatest draw to fishing, hunting, and
camping with his brother and cousins and long-time friends cooking outdoor breakfasts. A deer
always seem to walk through deer camp when he was cooking, but his gun was someplace
else. Though not his favorite of activities, John was an intelligent tinkerer and would accomplish many things at home and his farm property through force of will and many less polite words yelled into the air. John could sit for hours in a boat or on the dock, drink coffee and catch fish.
He was most at peace and complementary in these deliberate and well-deserved escapes.
At home, he would find a guilty pleasure in b-grade action movies, the more over-the-top and
explosive, the better. He loved westerns with John Wayne, which he would watch from his
kitchen chair, staring through a window and into the adjoining room addition where he preferred the TV be situated. This was his way of splitting his attention back and forth to things happening in the house, to happenings on the evening local and national news.
John enjoyed political discussions and arguments when he could find one, and from his home,
casual study was somewhat of an armchair ‘civil engineer.’ His interests in his own town of
Shrewsbury drew him to the parks board meetings, committee work and he would later be
elected as Shrewsbury Alderman for several years. This gave him an opportunity to help
influence and participate in beautification and structural improvement projects and see their
results in the long term. From this work, it was interacting with his local friends, citizens, and
experts that he enjoyed very much.
John had a very animated and thunderous persona, but also could be gentle and
non-judgemental, all of which made him so memorable. His friends know how he loved to share
and be an insider to difficult matters and where his abilities to “tell it like it is” meant you would
see many angles on the matters at hand. This had many friends and co-workers, even strangers
confiding in him.
John loved to indulge in silliness, but was never foolhardy. He was firm and particular in his
preferences but always willing to help others out of any jam of their own making. One minute he might show derision towards a nuisance animal or bird in his yard and the next would be
rescuing a different one from some precarious situation and put it in a protective spot on the
porch. He loved watching the world, even when it made him angry or disgusted. He loved
drives to his farm, on the back patios of his favorite hangouts, or just leaning against his truck
with his travel coffee mug.
John’s ashes will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with Military honors at Resurrection
Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Life at a later date and John’s family and friends will be
notified. We will look forward to hearing from fellow hunters, high school friends, work
associates, Shrewsbury city employees and officials that remember him, St. Michael’s family,
etc., to share and celebrate our memories of him.
We give special thanks to De Greef Hospice for their wonderful care.
Beautiful!
Uncle John always brightened the room he was in at anytime. He never met a stranger, and always made everyone he met feel like family. He will truly be missed.
Rest peacefully now and give Grandma as much trouble as possible 🙂
Love Dawn
I always respected john to me he was a caring person.To the entire smck family my condolences.
LindaStuthers
I am so sorry for the losses, because I really miss him when he left schnucks. Love this man he help me to stand strong and when I was in the hospital he even came to see me he will be forever in my heart.
So sorry for your loss my Condolences is to the family of John, I met John in 1998 working for Schnucks he promoted me to the Grocery Department after one year as a bagger at the South City store he was the nicest store manager I ever met he will be truly missed
This brings tears to my eyes. I felt like a football player whenever I worked with John and he was an AWSOME coach because he was so fare and FUN. I went to the edge for him when he asked out a respect and trust. I also went to him for personal advice on a few occasions.
Soo sorry for his loss to his family and MANY friends.
I am so sadden to hear about John. Many Prayers and thoughts for Ruth and Family and Friends. He taught me so much in my years at South City. I thank him so much. A great boss and caring, friendly, honest man. You are gonna be missed so much.
God Bless you John, as you are one of the Finest Store Managers, I have ever had the honor to work for.
You were always direct and to the point. I always respected and appreciated your thoughts on world
affairs. You were always patient, and helpful. You always shared a story, about your family and
Home. You were very proud of your Family, I respected that, and You.
John was my offensive guard at DuBourg High school; he protected me on the field as I was a quarterback on the team with him. He always showed courage on and off the field. John worked in many different positions for me at Schnucks and you could not have wanted a better man on your side, especially when we faced dangerous shoplifters. All my children worked for John, and John was on the phone with me from his store many times during a work week. I sat through many many meetings with John. And to say that I will miss him would be an understatement. He was also my military buddy, we talked military often. I loved John. He was a man’s man. May his family rest assured that he gave his all in anything he did. He will be in my heart forever. Tom Collora.
John was such a kind man!!! Gary Hall and family will miss him. Our respect and condolences to the family.
John was a great Friend to many, but most of all Father and family man that cared deeply to all of those close and dear to him. A true straight shooter with never a doubt where you stood with him.
He will be missed by many if you were ever fortunate to really know Him. As someone who knew him since his childhood, I will miss his humor, laugh, and friendship. Rest In Peace my friend.
Paulo and I send our condolences to Ruth, Elaine, Mike, & Rachel,,, you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult and very sad time. Johnny, I will always remember your laugh and the stories you told about the family. You will be greatly missed, RIP Cousin…
John, you have moved on, but your stories and memories will live on. Your raw and honest but respectful insight gave others pause for thought. You commanded respect without asking. In this time of sorrow I can’t help but smile thinking about the times we had at South City Schnucks. Working with you was a pleasure and I will remembered you forever. God bless you and your family.
John always put a smile on anyone around him. He was honest, direct and never sugar coated anything. He would give you the shirt off his back. He was kind, funny and passionate about his work and the people that worked with him. He will be greatly missed. God bless John and his family.
I met John at Schnucks Chippewa. He was an amazing Boss and mentor. I respected him so much he became my work Dad, Daddy Smick or Poppa Smick. We was a kind soul. He never held back what he was thinking. He spoke his mind, that’s for sure. I am truly blessed to have had him as Boss. I am so glad he was able to make it to the Schnucks Chippewa reunion last month. Sharing all of the stories, the good times and mostly to see that smile one last time. God speed Daddy Smick. You will forever be in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with the Smick Family.
I can do nothing but send lots of love and good thoughts to John’s family. I met John in 1998 when I started for Schnucks. He was a very friendly, straightforward, and honest man. I will always have the upmost respect for him. He made the South City Store feel like we were one big family. Can give him a lot of credit for the type of hardworking employee I became and continue to be for Schnucks. He will be missed.
Thanks for many years as a wonderful boss and friend at Chippewa and South city, a great man of character and strength. Through my tears there is a smile of a memory. Thoughts and prayers to Ruth and family.
R. I .p uncle johnny you will be missed. My condolences to my aunt ruth and cousins. Love to all.
I had the privilege of working with John for many years. Anyone that worked with John could tell you story after story. Some of my favorites are a little too colorful to tell here! When John retired, he sent ME a card thanking me for my dedication and service! That was very special to me. That was John. He was one of a kind. Remember to use the purple worm my friend…
I was truly sorry to hear of his passing. He was an amazing man,the best boss anyone could have had. He always treated me with so much respect and always truthful about anything that was happening around us. He was truly a good man to have known. Sorry for the family ‘s loss he will be missed
John was John!
That is a sincere compliment, there will never be another.
So glad I got to visit with him at the Chippewa reunion not too long ago.
My thoughts and prayers are with Ruth and their children. God Bless!
I went on a blind date with John back in high school. We were friends even though it didn’t go any further. I babysat for his niece Jennifer and of course I ‘d run into him at the grocery. John was a really nice guy. I’m so sorry he had to pass so early in his life. God bless you, John. May you rest in peace.
John
You will be missed, you filled up the room when you came in. Truly appreciated your friendship. I always looked forward to seeing you. You always made me laugh and made my day better. John, I will always remember you as a man who put others before yourself. Many many fond memories, I will never forget you. Ruth and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace my friend.
So sorry to hear this news. Rest In Peace John. Ruth and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Beata Gordon
Rest in peace John. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Love,
Jim and Sue Byrne
This guy, this guy…how could you not love him, he looked like Teddy Roosevelt! He had a fantastic handshake, great smile, belly laugh and he was my best friend Elaine’s Dad, I loved him. I was lucky enough to meet Elaine working a job during high school and we have been friends for over 25 years. Mr. Smick, even though I didn’t see him often these last years, was a part of my life and I will miss him very much. It was an honor to know him and it was an honor to have him and Ruth at many of the special celebrations in my life. I hope he is at peace, knows how much he was loved, and was respected by so many different people. I hope that we continue to talk about him for years to come, sharing stories, laughing over memories and remembering how he made us smile! Peace and Much Love to the entire family.
Ann (Gustafson) Krumrey
I’m so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was my boss for many years and was a good and friendly man to work for. Keeping all of his family in my prayers. RIP, John.
John always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile under that walrus mustache. Hugs to Ruth and the rest of family!
I was a 16 year old bagger in1985 when I met John who was the co -manager at the old Chippewa Schnucks. He used to pay some of us young guys $5 for each rat we shot with a BB gun near the dumpsters out back on our nights off. He scared me sometimes with his “war” stories, but I thought of him as my “work” Dad. After working 20 years with Schnucks and later on as a Sales Rep I continued to have a personal relationship with him in the stores. I loved his honesty and to the point stories of life………Prayers for his family….
I’m not sure if anyone checks back in here, but I do quite often. I have it saved as a bookmark on my desktop at work and at home. Whenever my dad pops into my head, I watch the slide show or read a few comments for the umpteenth time. I love that he was the same guy at home as he was at work as far as being a straight shooter and always knowing where you stood with him. He loved to laugh and always accused me of cheating at cards even though he watched that discard pile like a hawk. He taught me my good sense of direction, how to be a good sport, and to not take crap from anyone. I think in another life he was a cop, or a firefighter, or a Saint Bernard, or maybe even a Pitbull if you believe in that sort of thing.
It was just over a year ago that he finished radiation and the only thing we could do is wait, wait to see if the treatment would give us a little more time with him. Even though he was not feeling well, he was cautiously optimistic that he would have more time with us also. That was the longest few months I’ve ever experienced. As a family, we recognize that if he would have made it a little longer, Covid would have got him and he would not have been able to go out on his own terms and would have been alone. As difficult as it has been to miss him often, I am grateful he went out with dignity and for everyone he was able to see before his last moments.
It’s hard to believe that we have almost completed all of the 1st’s without him. When he passed, we had the holidays, his birthday, and my parent’s anniversary all by the end of January. It was over in a blink and took a hundred years at the same time. He would have been 69 this year and they would have been married for 49 years in 2020. It’s gotten easier to talk about him, although I find I am performing this exercise through many tears and tissues.
I just recently came across the hospital bracelet he wore at hospice. I asked for it the night he passed, before the crematory people rolled him away. I wasn’t sure why, but now I see it as my ticket stub to the memories in my head, all the good and bad, that makes the shape of my dad. I believe in Heaven, though I’m not sure he did, so when I picture him with wings, they are always slightly tattered, rough around the edges, just like him.
If you are reading this and have commented here or dropped a note to my mom, I thank you for your kind words and for thinking of him and her and us. Much Love and Sass, Elaine
Eighteen months have passed, a minute, a lifetime. I forget he’s gone sometimes, in a flash, and lose him all over again. I still come back here to watch the slide show. I’m not sure why, since I have access to the actual photos. I guess with the music, his life seems a little more epic in video format.
Next week, 11/10/21, will be 2 full years since my dad passed away. I’ve never been good at remembering dates, but this one is burned into my head. I still see his walrus mustache face and hear his booming voice in my head. I miss the loud political discussions, hands of gin rummy, and frustrating computer questions. The smallest of moments make the largest of memories. Hug your people for no reason.
Ending 2021.
Christmas #3 has come and gone since we lost my dad and as we creep into the new year, I just realized he would have turned 70 this year and my parents would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He was always surprised that he made it past 35 let alone to 68. We had family photos made in September for my mom’s birthday, another “first” without the big dog. He would have loved how tall and independent the older grandsons have gotten and would have enjoyed and appreciated the youngest grandson’s sense of humor. Those kids meant everything to him. I’m sad for them that they don’t have him around for life lessons and card games.
Just when you think you have a handle on grief, it kicks you in the face with a golf shoe.
Random Grief and Small Adventures.
Today was a random rough day for grief. It happens; one minute you are rolling along with life and the next minute you are crying into your sleeve making a mess of your mascara at a stoplight. I think the snow was a trigger this week. My dad was always my backup if I couldn’t get out and get to work in the snow. He had no qualms about getting on his coveralls, cleaning off his truck, and picking me up to take me to work even if it was out of his way or if he didn’t need to go anywhere. He thought everyone should get to work and worried when we took days off.
On holidays when we were growing up, Schnucks didn’t close much when they were 24 hour stores so when they did close on holidays, most likely the alarm wouldn’t set or the doors wouldn’t lock properly. We spent most holidays taking a trip to the store to check the doors and refrigeration and one Thanksgiving racing the battery scooters around South City while my dad ate the turkey plate and pumpkin pie that we brought him. Small adventures of a good Schnucks Soldier.
I smell smoke sometimes, sitting at my mom’s house. My dad hadn’t smoked in the house since his heart attack. He quit for a few months after that, but after he picked it up again, he only smoked outside. Once in a while, I’ll get a whiff of Marlboro Red in the living room or just outside the back door. At first I assumed that it was seeping in from the outside, a neighbor perhaps, but now I just tell him ‘hello’ and that i ‘miss him’ and it goes away. When he was sick and usually half asleep, he could hear their old dog, Buddy tapping around the kitchen, who had passed years before. There is a red cardinal frequently sitting on my back fence that stays around longer than a normal bird would. I really believe our people stay with us and we get these small reminders. It hurts to miss them and it hurts when you forget to miss them. What’s the saying? 6 of one, half a dozen of the other?
November 10 was three years without my dad. We had a low-key family dinner with just a few mentions of “Grandpa” and a silent understanding of how annoyed he would be with current political news. Miss that dude.
March 2023. In like a lamb, out like a lion. A big fat soggy lion. I try to get to the cemetery about once a month. Sometimes, I can only get to the gate and sometimes all the way to the wall where his ashes are interred. Sometimes, I can only sit across the street and talk to him from the Mackenzie Pointe parking lot. It depends if I feel like crying or not. I kept a journal for a couple of years, letters to him, keeping him informed of our life stuff. No need to mail; I figure he got them all the same. To keep peace in my heart, I have faith that we will meet again for coffee and cards and laughs.
It will be four years next week, November 10, 2023.
I remember several long days at Hospice, grateful for all who came to say goodbye. One of my brother’s old friends from grade school came just to shake my dad’s hand one last time. That was a lot of people, just wanted to shake that big ol’ weathered paw of his. He could take a pan of of the oven without an oven mitt. Callus on top of callus from many years of hard work with a hammer, shovel, rake, trowel, and shoplifter.
We had a Smick reunion a couple of weeks ago in Van Buren that he would have enjoyed attending. I realized that he has great nieces, nephews, and cousins he never even met, that came along after he passed and wouldn’t know how funny or what a good guy he was. I hope they hear a story or two in passing so that he lives on in infamy beyond his own kids and grandkids just as he told stories of Uncle Ralph, Junior and Juanita, and Grandma Smick (Opal).
I sure do miss that dude every day.
Happy 73rd Birthday to my dad. Some random facts for a random birthday number:
Jelly Beans and Circus Peanuts were always the go-to for gifts to him.
Liked peach schnapps on top of vanilla ice cream.
Poured an occasional shot of whiskey in his coffee.
Loved breakfast food.
Might not remember your name when you first met him, but always remembered your story.
Hug your people as much as you can!
Five summers ago, my dad got the news that his lung cancer turned into a brain tumor. He underwent radiation to see if they could shrink it. His head was hot all the time from the treatment and almost every day that summer, I brought him a snow cone. I went to several different stands and got several different flavors. He loved all of them and I like to think it brightened his day just a little bit. I haven’t been able to buy a snow cone since. Some reminders are just too difficult, even after all this time. Busch beer and cigarette smoke in cold weather, Proud Mary by Tina Turner, air shows from the VP fairs in the 80’s. Sites, sounds, smells, it’s crazy how the senses affect our memories. Happy 4th.
Five summers ago, my dad got the news that his lung cancer turned into a brain tumor. He underwent radiation to see if they could shrink it. His head was hot all the time from the treatment and almost every day that summer, I brought him a snow cone. I went to several different stands and got several different flavors. He loved all of them and I like to think it brightened his day just a little bit. Some reminders are just too difficult, even after all this time. Busch beer and cigarette smoke in cold weather, Proud Mary by Tina Turner, air shows from the VP fairs in the 80’s. Sites, sounds, smells, it’s crazy how the senses affect our memories. Happy 4th.