James David Smith

James David Smith, age 52 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital due to heart problems.

A Celebration of Life service will be planned for a future date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

James David Smith was born on February 11, 1973 in Kearney, Nebraska to James Ray and Janet Kay (Bacon) Smith. Jim grew up in Kearney and graduated from Kearney High School in s1991. Jim had worked for Wilbert Vault Company in Norfolk in the late 1990’s. Jim married Dena Lynn Noel. They had a daughter Alisha. Jim also worked for Cannon Lake Brewery on Johnson Lake in Lexington. Jim moved to Hartington in May of 2023 to live with his sister Sharon.

James is survived by his daughter, Alisha Smith in Kansas; and a sister Sharon Valdez of Hartington.

He was preceded in death by his parents in 1996 – in June and September; his wife Dena in February of 2016.