Jerome Francis Smith

Jerome Francis Smith passed away December 27, 2024 in Hartford, WI.  He was born on May 2, 1940 in Hartford, WI. son of Everett X. Smith and Anna C. (Nee Metz) Smith. He was the grandson of Jacob Conrad Metz (Born July 22, 1876 in Rosenfeld Germany and died September 20, 1966 in Hartford Wisconsin) and Mary S. Scholtis (Born about 1891 in Michigan and died July 14, 1965 in Hartford Wisconsin) whom he lived with in his childhood years.

Jerome was a graduate of Hartford Union High School in 1958, and excelled at track, basketball, and football.  His athletic ability enabled him to attend UW-Madison on scholarships for track and cross country; he graduated in 1962. Jerome taught high school for over 34 years; and most of those years were at West Allis Central High School. Jerome was also involved in coaching high school track and cross country. After retirement, he obtained his realtor license and sold real estate. He was a gifted athlete in many sports, but his passion was long distance running. He was also a silver level ballroom dancer. He ran Grandma’s Marathon, The Carmel, Indiana Marathon, and the Boston Marathon.  During his running career, Jerome ran over 75,000 miles.

Jerome is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Ann (Glenn) Nealley and grandson Louis Alderic T. Nealley of Oxford, PA. As well as his sisters Patricia Darling of West Bend, Charlotte Laufenburg of Iron Ridge and brother John Smith of Hartford and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials to the National Wildlife Federation would be appreciated.

Private services will be held

The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home-Hartford is serving the family.

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