Johnny W. Smith, 77, of Van Wert passed away Monday morning, June 30, 2025 at Lima Memorial Hospital.

He was born on January 30, 1948, in Illinois, the son of the late Charles and Arlene (Lang) Smith.

Family survivors include his four children, Kent (Kitty) Smith of Steubenville, Ohio, Karen (Jeff) Lautzenheiser of Van Wert, Ashley (Daniel) Brown of Athens, Ohio and Megan (Vinnie) Romano of Huntertown, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Dr. Morgan Magowan, Daniel Magowan, Aydin “AJ” Lautzenheiser, Cora Brown, Claire Brown, Harper Smith and Luca Romano; three step grandchildren, Josh Lautzenheiser, Kasey Adkins, and Danielle McClain; two brothers, Larry Smith of Colorado and Jim Smith of Kentland, Indiana; a sister, Joyce Pherson of Monticello, Indiana; and Johnny’s dog, Caddy.

Johnny started managing the Woods Golf Course in 1968, then owned and operated the Course for 27 years. He was then the administrator of the Moose Lodge from several years. He was a member of the Salem Presbyterian Church in Venedocia, the Moose Lodge and the Van Wert Elks Lodge.  He enjoyed traveling especially to Puerto Aventuras, Mexico and was an avid Purdue Boilermaker fan.

There will be family graveside services at Van Wert Woodland Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials can be sent to Salem Presbyterian Church.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.