Obituary

Rosedale Cemetery
Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

Courtesy of Criswell Funeral Home

John William Smith, M.D.

September 21, 1930 - March 31, 2015

© Criswell Funeral Home

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Services for Dr. John William Smith, 84, of Ada, are 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Asbury United Methodist Church, Revs. Steve Wilburn and Linda Lusnia will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. The Chickasaw Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery.

Dr. Smith died Tuesday, March 31, 2015 in Corn, Oklahoma. He was born September 21, 1930 at Thomas to Wesley and Moeta Noblitt Smith. He graduated from Thomas High School and Northwestern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He received a Master’s degree and Doctorate degree from the University of Oklahoma.

He married Ruth M. Zielke on August 23, 1957 in Meade, KS. She preceded him in death May 20, 2012. Dr. Smith taught high school in Minneola and Hutchinson, Kansas. He also taught at Central State College, Southeast Missouri State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University and St. Mary’s of the Plains University in Dodge City, KS. Later he was a Professor of Accounting at East Central University in Ada. Mr. Smith also was a Certified Public Accountant in Alva. Dr. Smith was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, the National Alliance for Mentally Ill (NAMI), and the American Legion. He served in the Oklahoma National Guard for six months and later enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in 1950 for four years.

Survivors include his children, Timothy Smith, Ada, Diann Brikowksi and husband Tom, Richardson, TX, Debbie Whelchel and husband John, Ada and Todd Smith and wife Dana, Corn, OK; his grandchildren, Kristi Stanberry and husband Travis, Jacob Whelchel and fiancé Loren, Kayla Brikowski, Chandler Smith, Joshua Brikowski and Carter Smith; and his great-grandchildren, Claire, Ian and Abby Stanberry and Hayden Drake.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Wesley (Mac) Smith, Howard Smith and Charles Smith; and a sister, Letha (Smith) Sweeney.

His grandsons and sons-in-law, Jacob Whelchel, Travis Stanberry, Chandler Smith, Josh Brikowsky, Carter Smith, Tom Brikowsky and John Whelchel will serve as bearers.

The family says those who wish may make memorials to the Asbury United Methodist Church, 508 W. 6th, Ada, OK 74820 or the Corn Bible Academy, P. O. Box 38, Corn, OK 73024.

Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to Criswell Funeral Home.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada