John Smyser

John Lee Smyser, 78, of Ottawa, Illinois, died Sunday, December 1, 2013, at his home. A memorial service will be held in the spring. Ottawa Funeral Home was entrusted with his cremation. John was born May 4, 1935, in Louisville, Kentucky, to M. Harold and Marie (Diemer) Smyser. He graduated from Male High School in 1953, where he was a member of the JROTC. In 1966, he married Sally J. Lewis and became stepfather to Sally's daughter and three sons. Together they had two more children. John also has a daughter from a previous marriage. John and Sally moved to Ottawa in 1968 to open Smyser Auto Supply. They eventually sold the store. John, along with Sally and their son, Pete, opened JLS Insurance in 1992. His daughter, Tracey Smyser of Baltimore, MD; son, Pete (Cyndi) Smyser and their daughter Lily of Spring Valley; and stepchildren, Kathy Gance and Frank Evinger both of Antioch, Illinois survive him. John is also survived by two nephews and four nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his sister, Helen; his brothers, H. Diemer and James; his daughter Aimee Smyser; two stepsons, John Evinger and Patrick Evinger; and one nephew, William H. Beswick. Memorials may be directed to the donors' choice in John's name.