Retired M/Sgt. Joseph Edward Smits April 24, 1921 - January 12, 2013 Joseph Edward Smits, 91, of Nampa ID, passed away in Nampa on January 12, 2013. Joe was born in Chicago IL to Joseph M. Smits and Anna Hughes Smits. He graduated from Denfeld High School in Minnesota. He enlisted in theU.S. Navy in 1939 where he served until 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1947 and retired at Mtn. Home AFB in 1961.On July 12, 1947, he married the love of his life, Jeanette M. Nelson. They had two daughters. He later worked as a barber in Boise, until 1972 when he was employed by Idaho First National Bank. He retired from the Bank in 1983. Joe loved camping and fishing with his wife and hunting with his beloved Lab, Maggie. In 1978-1979 he was Secretary of the Western Whitewater Assn. Joe was a life-long member of theVFW. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by Jeanne, his loving wife of 65 years; their daughters Sharon L. Cochrane and Susan L. Bostick, grandchildren Firiel (Shawn), Josh (Rosie), and Amanda; great grandchildren Jered, Brady, Ryder, Emma, and Anastasia; brother Jack B. Smith of Meridian ID and brother-in-law Ron Nelson (Mary) of Florida, and nieces and cousins. A vigil celebration of his life will be held at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. He will be interred into the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery with military honors.

Service Information Celebration of Life Thursday January 17, 2013 7:00 PM