John C. Smith

John C. Smith 78, of Massillon passed away on Saturday, July 26 with his family by his side following a courageous battle with cancer. John was born May 15, 1930 in Massillon, Ohio and was the son of John S. and Pearl A. Smith. He is survived by wife Erna U. Smith, brother Jim Smith (Margaret), Sons, Chris (Debbi); of Massillon; Jamie (Kayra) of Dublin, Ohio; Robert (Kathleen) of Flagler Beach, Florida; and grandchildren Tyler, Connor, Karoline, Zachary, Ashley, Benjamin, Paige, Mackenzie and Nathan. John was a husband, father, grandfather, friend, craftsman, inventor, musician, writer, and master story teller. He was a 1948 graduate of Massillon Washington High School and served the United States Army by securing Fairbanks, Alaska from enemy attacks during the Korean War. John was employed by NASA, and then self-employed as owner of Scale Craft Models. He built aircraft models for the United States military, National Air and Space Museum, Learjet, Bell Helicopter, Sikorsky Helicopter, Cessna, and other aircraft manufacturers. His work is in museums and private collections throughout the United States and Europe. He built architectural models for many local projects including the Massillon City Hall, Main Fire Station, Washington High School, Veterans Memorial Park, Cleveland Browns Stadium, the Interstate 77 Hall of Fame Bridge, and GlenOak Stadium. His model work was featured in the Massillon Independent, on Cleveland area television stations and in Ohio Magazine. He was an avid musician and a member of the Canton Local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians. He had his own bands – the Storyville Stompers and Die Schwartzwalder, that appeared at many local events. He also performed throughout his life with the Clinton Community Band, the Stark County Fair Band and the Tired Tigers. John was active through his life flying model aircraft and was a member of the American Academy of Model Aeronautics and for many years wrote a monthly column in American Aircraft Modeler magazine featuring control line speed. He was well known throughout the country as a control line speed model builder and contest judge working many national level contests and many in the greater Cleveland area. He was honored in 1972 by Robert Sargeant and the Skylarks Model Club with the “Bull Shot” Award recognizing his many contributions to the model aircraft community. He also wrote guest commentaries for the Massillon Independent, and for several years served as the Tiger Swing Band correspondent writing summaries of Tiger Band Shows during the football season. He was a former President of the Evening Optimist Club and a member of the Massillon Museum History group. The family would like to thank the staff of Mercy Medical Center, in particular the staff of the ICU and 10th floor Step Down Unit for their incredible care and professionalism. In particular Dr. Kirby L. Sweitzer M.D., FACS and his staff, Dr. Robert B. Packer M.D. , Dr. Randall J. Harris M.D. , and Dr. Mouhamed K. Kamel M.D. The family would also like to thank the entire staff of Altercare at Nobles Pond for their compassionate care and attention, especially Lonnie and Deb who constantly provided inspiration and motivation. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in John’s name to Mercy Medical Center – MIMO (Mercy International Mission Outreach), Fund Development Office 1320 Mercy Drive NW, Canton, OH 44708 to support the ongoing humanitarian work of Dr. Kirby Sweitzer and his team. The body has been cremated and Calling Hours will be held on Friday, August 15 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM with a Celebration of Life to follow at 6:00 PM. There will be a private burial for the family. Paquelet Massillon A Golden Rule Funeral Home (330)833-3222