John Linzie Smith 1982 - 2025
MERRITT, SMITH, MORENO
Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/15/2025 at 19:34:53
The Grapevine
Whiting, Iowa
1 October 2025John L. Smith, 43, of Whiting, Iowa passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, September 21, 2025 at his residence.
A memorial visitation will be 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Sunday, September 28, 2025 at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel, Onawa, Iowa. Following the visitation, a procession will gather and proceed to Hite Cemetery in rural Whiting, Iowa, where a memorial graveside service will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, with Darren C. E. Goslar, officiating. A recording of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with John’s obituary. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.
John Linzie Smith was born August 25, 1982, in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the son of Jerry and Dorothy (Merritt) Smith. He grew up in Whiting and graduated with the Class of 2000. In his younger years, he was active in athletics, participating in baseball, basketball, and track. John was active in 4-H, where he especially enjoyed baking pies, apple and rhubarb, and chocolate cake—and was proud to have earned many blue and purple ribbons for his entries. Committed to his education, John went on to complete both his associate and bachelor’s degrees and was in the process of working toward his master’s degree in Small Business Administration.
John’s career reflected a wide range of leadership and service roles. He began as a video manager at Hy-Vee Grocery Store in Sioux City, Iowa, and went on to manage Radio Shack stores in both Sioux City and Worthington, Minnesota. He also served as a team leader at Stream in a call center and later became an area manager at Walmart in Sioux City. In addition, John worked in sales with Mondelez International Foods, where he was responsible for product displays in stores. He also held a computer-based job working from home. His most recent employment was with Blackbird Bend Casino, located near Onawa.
John and Maribel Lupercio Moreno were united into marriage August 2, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Maribel and baby Aiden passed away April 2, 2022.
John had many hobbies and interests throughout his life. He enjoyed working with computers, gaming, and immersing himself in science fiction. He also loved learning to cook tamales and tacos for Maribel, something that brought him joy and connection. John enjoyed playing in a local dart league. Above all, spending time with his family was the most meaningful part of his life. John cherished his pets, delighted in attending Renaissance fairs, and took great pride in sponsoring a family during the Christmas season.
He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion.
Survivors include his son, Malec Smith of Minneapolis, Minnesota; his mother, Dorothy Smith of Whiting, Iowa; his sister, Fawn (Craig) Edelbrock of Sartell, Minnesota; niece, Carys Edelbrock of Sartell, Minnesota; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maribel Lupercio Moreno; daughter, Aiden Danielle Smith; and father, Jerry Smith; niece, Marcaylin Edelbrock; paternal grandparents, Clarence and Dolly (Smith) Smith; and maternal grandparents, Harvey and Maryland (LaBrune) Merritt.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s memory may be directed to the family.
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