John O. Smillie

John Orville Smillie was born May 24, 1928, in Watertown, Wisconsin, the son of Harry and Mary Boeldt Smillie. One of ten children, he grew up in the Jefferson area and graduated from Jefferson High School.

Shortly after World War II, Smillie entered the U.S. Navy and served in Guam. He later returned to Navy service during the Korean War. During his naval career he served aboard the destroyer USS Purvis with the Sixth Fleet. A contemporary newspaper account identified him as a radioman seaman and reported on a five-day port call at Constantinople, Turkey, where members of the crew had an opportunity to visit some of the city's historic sites.

Following his military service, Smillie attended Wisconsin State College at Platteville, where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts and social science and received his teaching credentials.

On June 15, 1957, he married Mary Alice Symons of Dodgeville. Mary was also an educator, having earned her degree from Platteville and taught in Waukesha, Stoughton and Madison.

That same year, John joined the Stoughton school system as an industrial arts instructor. He was hired to teach four sections of machine shop and one section of mechanical drawing, replacing Richard Wyngert. Smillie had previously taught machine shop at Waukesha School for Boys.

Stoughton became the Smillies' home, and John spent the remainder of his teaching career at Stoughton High School. He retired in 1985 after 28 years of teaching, having spent nearly three decades helping generations of Stoughton students develop practical skills in industrial arts.

Smillie was also active in the local veterans community. He was a member of both American Legion Post 59 and the Stoughton VFW. His involvement with Post 59 eventually led to his election as Commander, serving during 1967 and 1968.

Away from teaching and veterans activities, John enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing trips to Canada and camping. He was also remembered as a skilled carpenter and built the family's house at Bass Lake. In later years, some of his favorite time was spent at the family's trailer park in Lake Delton and, especially, with his grandchildren and family.

Mary died in 2002 after 45 years of marriage.

John Orville Smillie died May 26, 2007, at his home in Stoughton, two days after his 79th birthday. He was survived by his son Allen, daughter Karol, and grandchildren Daniel and Catherine. After memorial services in Stoughton, he was buried at a family cemetery.

Smillie's life combined military service, education and veterans involvement. After serving his country in the Navy during two different periods, he devoted 28 years to Stoughton schools and later led his fellow veterans as Commander of American Legion Post 59.