REV. DAVID L. SMITH
64 of LaGrange, IL
Rev. David L. Smith, Associate Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in LaGrange, IL, was called home by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, April 7, 2008. Son of the late Barry and Ada Smith, he was born and raised in Ft. Wayne, IN. He became a child of God in Holy baptism on March 3, 1944. He attended St. Paul Lutheran Church and School where he was confirmed on March 30, 1958, and received his elementary education. His high school education was received at Concordia Lutheran High School in Ft. Wayne, IN, where he graduated in 1962. From there he attended Concordia Teacher's College, River Forest, IL; now known as Concordia University Chicago. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1968, he began his teaching career at St. James Lutheran Church & School in Shawano, WI, where he taught upper grade Science and Church History for 30 years. In 1972, he received his Master of Arts degree in Education from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. In addition he served in various other capacities such as Youth Director, Athletic Director and coach of softball, volleyball and basketball teams. He also served for 8 years on the Board of Directors of the Northern Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and 12 years on the Camp Luther Board of Directors. In 1995, he received the Herb Kohl Fellowship for excellence in teaching. It was during his years of teaching that he heard God's call to the pastoral ministry. Consequently he enrolled at Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN, and completed his studies in 1997. He served his vicarage at St. John Lutheran Church, Chaska, MN, and served as pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Waupaca, WI, 1998-2000. In 2000, he accepted a call as Associate Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, LaGrange, IL, where he served until his death. David loved preaching, teaching Bible classes and confirmation classes. He and his wife visited shut-in members each month and loved this ministry. Pastor Smith married Marian L. Stelz, affectionately known as Marnie, on August 6, 1966. The pair did everything together, especially enjoying the gift of music, singing in many choirs, performing in musicals and harmonizing together, often with David's guitar accompaniment. They renewed their wedding vows at an outdoor service for their 40th anniversary in 2006.
He is survived by his wife Marnie of Westmont, IL; 3 daughters: Julie (John) Wilkins of LaGrange, IL, Sara (Andrew) Chizzo of Oak Park, IL, and Angela (Eric) Young of Mt. Prospect, IL; 7 grandchildren: Cameron, Madeline, Natalie, Megan, Evelyn, Jenna and Audrey; 1 sister, Carolyn (Eugene) Falkenstern; 2 brothers: Jerry (Sherry) Smith and Tom Smith of Ft. Wayne, IN; 1 sister-in-law: Eryn (Charles) Levee of Oak Park, IL, and numerous nieces and nephews, friends and his church family at St. John.
Visitation will be 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2008, at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside, IL 60525 and from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2008, at St John Lutheran Church, 47th St. & Brainard Ave., LaGrange, IL 60525, where Funeral Service will be held at 4 p.m. Private Interment will be at Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, IL, on Monday, April 14, 2008. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. John Lutheran School, LaGrange, IL, or Camp Luther, Three Lakes, WI, would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements by Hallowell & James Funeral Home. (708) 352-6500.
Submitted by Otto Bergman