James E. Smith, 79, of Dixon, died Thursday, February 3, 2005 at the Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital, Dixon. He was a pressman for the Chicago Tribune for 42 years prior to his retirement in 1983. Mr. Smith was born on April 21, 1925, in Chicago, IL, the son of Claude and Ruhama, nee Myers, Smith. He married Bertha Fritz on April 7, 1952, in Chicago. He was a member of the Northside Baptist Church, Dixon, and proudly served in the United States Navy for six and one half years during W.W.II. Survivors include his wife, Dixon; two sons, Karl D. (Nancy) Fritz of Chicago, Thomas A. (Paula) Fritz of Bensenville; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. James was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Smith. Memorial services will be at the Northside Baptist Church, Dixon, with Rev. Daniel Bentz, pastor, officiating, at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no visitation. A memorial has been established. Arrangements were completed by the Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon.
