John Leland Smock, 91, of Pharr, TX, formerly of Rossville, IL, passed away at 5:20 P.M. Monday October 3, 2022, at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX. He was born February 28, 1931, at home in Rossville, IL, the son of Harold Odum and Gladys (Cooper) Smock.
John attended Rossville schools, graduating in 1949. He then joined the United States Army, serving in Korea from January 1952-1954. After the service, he attended Barber School in Decatur, IL, and later met and married Dolores Jane Beck on March 25, 1956. After returning from their honeymoon, John and Dolores moved to Rossville where he barbered with Cy Tuggle. He worked as a barber for 25 years before his retirement and later worked at American Can in Hoopeston. He and his wife, Dolores, had two children, Kathy and John C. “Chuck”, and together they enjoyed 40 years of marriage before her passing. He later married Shirley P. Wiederstein in 1998 and they resided in Pharr, TX.
While living in Rossville, John was a member of Antioch Church of Christ. He had many hobbies which included riding motorcycles, watching golf, dancing, and woodworking. He also enjoyed traveling, going out to eat, and most of all, spending time with his family.
He is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Michael) Young of Hoopeston, IL; daughter-in-law, Tara Smock of Arab, AL; one sister, Mary Stillwell of Cocoa Beach, FL; two brothers, James T. “Jack” Smock of Danville, IL, formerly of Rossville, IL, and Larry (Kenna Jean) Smock of Rossville, IL; one sister-in-law, Sue Smock of Alvin, IL; four grandchildren, Tiffany (Matthew) Cox of Arab, AL, John T. (Sarah) Smock of Arab, AL, Eliza (Derek) Compton of Hoopeston, IL, and Amelia Young (Andrew Prattis) of Hoopeston, IL; eleven great-grandchildren, Madeline, Aubrey, Lincoln, Dahlia, Augustus, Cayden, Peyton, Gabbi, Mark, Mike, and Jax; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Dolores; his second wife, Shirley; his son, John C. “Chuck” Smock; two sisters, Beatrice Scott and Ethel Roach; three brothers, Donald, Harold Lloyd, and Gordon Smock; two sisters-in-law, MaryBelle Smock and Donna Smock; three brothers-in-law, Tom Scott, Robert Compton, and Charles Roach and one great-grandson, Holden James Irons.
Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. A visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:30 A.M. Saturday October 15, 2022, at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. Military rites will be accorded by the Hoopeston American Legion Post #384. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made in John’s memory to the Cunningham Children’s Home, P.O. Box 878, Urbana, IL 61803 or to a cancer center of the donor’s choice.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com
