Smith, Francis John “Smitty”

Francis John “Smitty” Smith, 84 of Mineral Point passed away Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at home surrounded by his family, due to congestive heart failure and complications following surgery.

Francis was born on August 30th, 1940, to Cecelia Basting, Smith, Peasly, Edmonds and Leo Smith.  Francis attended school in Lead Mine and Mineral Point.  He graduated from Mineral Point High School in 1960.  Francis joined the Navy after graduation.  He served in the Cuban Missile Crisis and Bay of Pigs.  He was honorably discharged in 1964.

He married Diane Leinberger on April 27th, 1968, at Grace Lutheran Church in Darlington.  They just celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

Francis learned to play the guitar while in the Navy and played in many bands, including The Mercy’s, The Countrymen, Bobby Dean and the Drifters and Lyle Foley and the Joker’s Wild Band.  He loved Rock & Roll and Country music, especially Johnny Cash.

He worked in the mill at Ivey Construction separating the lead ore from rock.  He was employed by General Telephone, Verizon and CentryTel for over 25 years, retiring in 2003.  He owned Bubba’s Bar on High Street in Mineral Point for 17 years.

Francis was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mineral Point Post 7629.  He was Commander and Quartermaster for many years.  He was chaplain of the Third District VFW for several years.  He dedicated his life to the VFW.  He was also a member of American Legion, Post 170.  Francis was honored with Citizen of the Year in 2000 and Legionnaire of the Year of American Legion Post 170 in 2023.  He went on a Badger Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in October,2018.

Francis played Santa Claus at the Red Rooster and Shake Rag Alley for many years.  He liked to watch the Packers and Big Ten football and basketball games.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents, stepparents Robert (Max) Peasly and Marvin Edmonds.

Francis is survived by his wife of 57 years, Diane.  Their children Lynn (Jamie) Hille, Robert “Bubba” Smith and Michael “Tater” (Amy) Smith, all of Mineral Point.  Grandchildren Levi Zimmerman of Dodgeville, Zach Smith, Kennedy Byous, Holden and Camden Smith of Mineral Point.  Sister Mary (Brian) Bentzler of Madison.  He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8th, and from 9:30 to10:50 a.m. Friday at Hope Lutheran Church.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Hope Lutheran Church in Mineral Point. Burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery with military honors accorded by VFW Post 7629 and American Legion Post 170.  A luncheon will follow at the American Legion Club.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care Francis received, and Gorgen Funeral Services for assisting the family.

Gorgen Funeral Home

www.gorgenfh.com