Jerry M. Smith, 78, of Washington, Illinois, died at 6:25 pm on Monday, December 4, 2023, with his family by his side.
Jerry was born on July 3, 1945, in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Monroe and Ruby Smith. He married JoEllen Boring, his high school sweetheart, in 1965. She survives.
He was blessed with three daughters, Jill (Phil) Morrison of LeRoy, Illinois, Stephanie (Tom) Standish of Eureka, Illinois, and Jessica (Kyle) Goode of Washington, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Britany Morrison of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Zachary (Almy) Morrison of Tampa, Florida, Ally (Shane) Hingtgen of Tiffin, Louisiana, Tom (Charlotte) Standish of Savannah, Gorgia, Connor Standish of Eureka, Illinois, JD Standish of Eureka, Illinois, Zane Goode of Washington, Illinois and Nora Goode of Washington, Illinois, and one great-grandchild, Harper Hingtgen of Tiffin, Louisiana. He is also survived by two brothers, Joe (Norma) Smith of Shiloh, Illinois and Jackie (Kathy) Smith of Seymour, Missouri; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
In 1965, Jerry was hired at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, where he retired after 44 years. He enjoyed his job and was fortunate to travel to France, England, Northern Ireland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, China, India, Australia and Tasmania. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), where he worked on national drafting standards.
Jerry enjoyed golf, fishing, traveling, and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren’s extracurricular events. Jerry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. There are no words that express how much his family and friends will miss him.
A visitation will be held from 4-6 pm on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, Illinois. On Sunday, December 10, 2023, the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Seymour, Missouri, will be open for viewing from 2-4 pm. A graveside service will be at 10 am on Monday, December 11, 2023, at Seymour Masonic Cemetery in Seymour, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Jerry’s memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to his family.
