George J.W. Smith

1945 - 2019

George J.W. Smith obituary, 1945-2019, Addison, IL

BORN

1945

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

Justen Funeral Home & Crematory - McHenry

3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road

McHenry, Illinois

George Smith Obituary

George J. W. Smith,

Born:October 5, 1945; Chicago, IL

Died: July 17, 2019; Rockford, IL

George J. W. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel, Ret. U.S. Army, age 73, of Addison, IL and Delavan, WI, formerly of McHenry County, passed away at Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford on July 17, 2019, with his beloved wife by his side. He was born on October 5, 1945 to James and Violet (Haerle) Smith in Chicago. George was united in marriage to Jo Lanta Bulat in Rosemont, IL on September 4, 2001.

Raised in Wonder Lake, George played football for and attended McHenry High School. After graduation in 1963, he was called to duty to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. During the span of his 25-year military career, he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. George held office in the Cook County Circuit Court as a judge from 1995 until his retirement from the position in 2002.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Lanta; and his son, Peter Smith.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother, Gary.

Friends and neighbors are invited to visit with George's family on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Justen Funeral Home & Crematory, 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Rd., McHenry, IL. Visitation resumes the following morning from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at the Church of Holy Apostles, 5211 Bull Valley Rd., McHenry, IL 60050. Full Military Honors will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Johnsburg, IL.

For those wishing to send an expression of condolence, the family suggests memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675.

For more information, please call the funeral home at 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com where friends may leave an online condolence message for his family

Published by Northwest Herald on Jul. 20, 2019.
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6 Entries

Time passes, but the memories stay.

mary Bell

July 15, 2022

May his memory be eternal.

Condolences to his family and friends. I knew Mr Smith when I was an Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County, Illinois.

He served his nation in the military and law enforcement.

God Bless

Nick Tziavaras

October 5, 2019

Jo Lanta, Sorry to hear of George's passing today, he was indeed ONE of a KIND. Mark and Mary Bell

Mary Bell

July 25, 2019

Forever Remembered, Forever Missed! Our hearts are with you always.

Bob & Ann Krejci

July 21, 2019

Sorry for your loss. Prayers with you and family. George was a childhood friend from Wonder Lake and will miss seeing him at reunions. Great friend.

July 21, 2019

Jo Lanta, we are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
He will be missed.

Robert & Louise Maheu

July 19, 2019

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Funeral services provided by:

Justen Funeral Home & Crematory - McHenry

3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road, McHenry, IL 60050

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