John Anthony “Tony” Smelser passed away on November 17, 2025, in Muncie, Indiana. He was born on June 12, 1947, and grew up at the Home Corner, Marion, Indiana.
Tony was a 1966 graduate of Van Buren High School, Van Buren, Indiana. In 1972, he moved to Bradenton, Florida. He managed the American Legion in Maderia Beach, Florida, which had one of the largest memberships in the United States. Several years later, he fulfilled one of his dreams by owning the Evergreen Tavern, Seminole, Florida.
Tony enjoyed tending bar, meeting new patrons, and swapping stories with old ones. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing a variety of dishes for customers, friends, and family; ribs and ziti were favorites. Tony enjoyed a variety of music genres, particularly Dixie Land jazz and country. Faron Young and Elvis Presley were his favorite artists. An avid Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indiana Hoosiers, and NASCAR fan, Tony cheered for his teams year-round.
Tony is survived by his daughter, Eleanor Arpaia (Chris) Gibbs of Fishers, Indiana; grandchildren, Merry Jane Arpaia of Bradenton, Florida, and James Vincent Gibbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. Siblings, Janis Yvonne Smelser (Jay) Sprinkle, Debra Sue Smelser Reed, and Kenneth Bruce (Jeanette) Wisehart of Marion, Indiana; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Tony is predeceased by his father, James Harold Smelser; mother, Margaret LaVonne Alderton Sprinkle; brother, Charles Edward Jumper; niece, Tamara Kay Jumper West; and brother-in-law, Michael Joseph Reed Sr.
A celebration of life gathering will be scheduled for a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN.