James Duane Smith Sr.

James Duane Smith, passed away on December 21, 2025 at the age of 84, in Niles, Michigan.
Left to cherish the memory of Jim is his loving wife of 63 years, Rose Evelyn (Sisk) Smith; sons, James (Charlene) Smith Jr. and Michael (Valerie) Smith, and his brother, Dale (LaDonna) Smith.
Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra Sisk.
Jim was born on February 16, 1941, in Niles, Michigan to the late Walter Smith and Juanita (Harden) Smith.
He graduated from Niles High School in 1958, growing up learning to play the accordion and the trombone in the marching band. After graduating, Jim joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) seaplane tender and worked in the engine room.
After Separation from the Navy, Jim married his sweetheart, Rose Evelyn Sisk on October 17, 1962.
Jim enjoyed lawn bowling and was in a tenpin bowling league. He spent the majority of his life in the tool and die trade.
Jim welcomed 2 sons James Duane Jr. and Michael Allen "Cat." James enjoyed teaching James Jr. machining and drafting, and spending time with both boys fishing, cycling, rollercoasters, and weekend plane rides.
Jim didn't pay much attention to religion but Rose started a Bible Study with a sister in the Niles congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Eventually the sister visited Jim and offered a study book and told him "She would stop by for his first Bible Study." Jim accepted the book and as he shut the door and turned around and said "that was the worst book salesperson I ever met." Jim told Rose, "What she's teaching you is wrong" Rose said "why don't you tell her that?" "I will" Jim replied. Jim sat in the study to prove the sister wrong and failed. Jim dedicated himself along with his wife in baptism as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on May 2, 1970. Jim enjoyed the ministry teaching others that Jehovah is God's personal name, what happens when we die, why there is suffering and how God's Kingdom will eliminate all the problems that mankind faces. Jim had a self-sacrificing spirit and was appointed as an elder in the Niles congregation in 1975 at which he was handed a talk outline and was told "you have to give this talk, this Sunday at the Cassopolis Kingdom Hall."
Jim gave many talks and became the Watchtower conductor and later served in the Roseland congregation in Indiana.
After Jim retired from the tool and die trade, he taught himself to become a locksmith and spent many years running his own business and still enjoyed plane rides.
In 2021, at the age of 80, Jim got a new bicycle "baby blue" and on warm days could be seen riding all around Niles with that grin of freedom on his face. At 82, he would ride from Niles to South Bend frequently.
He enjoyed cycling with his boys, riding the Pumpkin Vine Trail from Goshen to Middlebury and spending time at the Krider "World's Fair" Garden.
Jim passed away while keeping his integrity to his God Jehovah. He will truly be missed by all the surrounding congregations and his family. All are in anticipation of seeing Jim again as promised at John 5:28,29:
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life.
A Funeral Service for Jim will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00am at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 26807 US-20, South Bend, IN 46628.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.
Photos, condolences, and memories may be shared with Jim's family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com