Joseph Smith

Joseph Edward Smith, 88, of Machesney Park, was born on March 15, 1931, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Joe’s family later moved to Rockford, Illinois, but Joe spent nearly every summer on his grandparents’ farm in Wisconsin. Summers on the farm were some of his very best memories, and he loved to regale his grandchildren with tales of his adventures. On his 18th birthday, Joe and his best friend, Ivan Livingston, joined the United States Air Force. Joe was trained as a mechanic and serviced USAF airplanes. Eventually Joe was stationed in Japan, where he met the love of his life, Kazumi Tonosaki. Joe and Kazumi married in January of 1956 and had four children. After 20 years and 16 days, Joe retired from the USAF as a Master Sergeant, and he and his family settled in Rockford. Joe was hired at Ingersoll, where he worked for 20 years before retiring again at age 58. Retirement gave Joe and Kazumi time to do some things they enjoyed most - traveling, fishing, and spending time with their friends and family. As a matter of fact, Joe was fortunate enough to spend his last two days doing all those things - traveling to the White River and fishing with his son and son-in-law. Joe also loved antique cars. He rebuilt several of his own and enjoyed helping his friends work on their cars and trucks. Joe was predeceased by his wife, Kazumi T. Smith; three of his four children, Carol Smith Wing, Richard Smith and Linda Smith Langkait; his mother, Bessie C. Smith-Hovind; father, Orville Fortney; and brother, Daryle “Chip” Smith. On July 31, 2019, Joe was reunited with his wife and children when he passed from this life to the next. He is survived by his son, Clifford (Beth) Smith; 14 grandchildren, Dianne, James and David Wing, Marie, Michael (Kallie), Joseph (Brenna), Abigail, Benjamin, Magdalene, Elijah, and Elisabeth Smith, Lydia (Duncan) Soucy, Sherry and Clifford Langkait; 11 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Liz Bartle, Barb Myers and Jeanette Hull; and his brother, Jack Fortney. Joe requested that in lieu of flowers, all donations be made to North Love Christian School. He opined that flowers quickly wilt but an investment in the education of a child “is forever.” The family would like to give special thanks to Dianne Wing and Connie Lopez for their love for Joe and the care they provided.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, August 9, at North Love Baptist Church, 5301 East Riverside Blvd., Rockford, with the service starting at 1 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.