By Jim Meridith
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1 Comment
  • Visitation

    Friday, November 18, 2022
    10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
    Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home

  • Service

    Celebration of Life Servcies
    Friday, November 18, 2022
    12:00 pm
    Burial in Cisne Cemetery with military rites

  • Full Obituary

    Charles E “Jack” Smith passed away at Brookstone Estate assisted living on October 25, 2022.  He was 89 years old.  Jack was born on March 29, 1933, to the late Ralph Paul Smith and Carrie (Stahl) Smith of Burnt Prairie, IL.

    Jack graduated from Mills Prairie High School and immediately enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country in the Korean conflict from 1954-1956.  Upon his discharge from the army, he enrolled at Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale graduating with an associated degree in automotive and welding.  It was at SIU that he met Hilda Ellis, and they were wedded, January 7, 1961 (61 years of marriage) at Providence General Baptist church.

    They took up residence in Mattoon IL for 3 years and Edinburgh IL for two years where they began a family with their first two sons being born, Paul and Mark.  In 1966, they moved to Johnsonville where they spent most of their years, welcoming a third son, Jason.  At this time, Jack started a position at Truckline gas company as a mechanic which he held for 29 years.  On his retirement from Truckline, he took another job at North American Lighting for 9 years, before retiring fully to their homestead in Johnsonville, IL.

    Jack and his family attended various churches in the area, Providence General Baptist Church, Bailey General Baptist church and in their later years Orchardville Community Church.  Jack was baptized at Providence.

    Jack loved animals, horses, cows, goats, dogs and cats kept him occupied throughout his life.  Another love was bicycling.  He kept his sons furnished with bicycles that they road often in the Johnsonville area and even made a long-distance cycling adventure to Shawneetown, IL.  Jack was always tinkering with projects, there was always a project connected to something that was lying around the property.

    Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel “Gene” Smith (brother), Virginia Wilson and Patricia Felix (Sisters).  He is survived by his three sons, Paul Smith (Karen) of Cincinnati, Mark (Karen) of Bentonville, AR, Jason of Evansville In.  A daughter in law, Cheryl Kay Smith of Newburgh, IN. Five grandchildren, Bethany, Josiah, Evan (Emily), Caitlyn (Morgan) and Collin. Two great-grandchildren, Arlo and Runa; His brother, Ernest (Butch) Smith, sister, Donna Russell and sister-in-law Bernice Smith.

    Services will be held at Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home 305 Park St Cisne IL 62823 on Friday, November 18th, 2022.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Celebration of life services will begin at 12:00pm followed by burial at Cisne Cemetery with military rights.

    Memorials can be made to Orchardville Community Church or Union Grove Youth Camp and will be accepted at Hosselton Funeral Home.

    Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com

    Hosselton-Meridith Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

One Condolence
 
  1. Carolyn Ash / November 3, 2022 at 7:51 pm

    Jack, We fondly remember the visits that you and Hilda came to visit us in our mobil Home while Richard was in school at SiU in Carbondale. . We were always happy to see both of you.

    We recall that Richard was one of the groomsmen on your wedding day. Fond Memories. Carolyn Ash

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