Don Smith Sr.

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Archived Feb. 21, 2005

LINCOLN -- Don Smith Sr., 88, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, at the Christian Village.

His funeral was Wednesday morning at Bennett Funeral Home, with Tom Gerdts officiating. Visitation was at the funeral home on Tuesday and an hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Burial is in Camp Butler National Cemetery, Riverton, with military honors. 

Mr. Smith was employed by Lincoln Locker Plant, Cities Services Inc. and Standard Oil Co. for 37 years. He retired in 1986.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

He was born Aug. 5, 1916, in Owensville, Ind., to George and Clara Shafer Smith. He married Evelyn Hafley on Feb. 13, 1940, at the First Christian Church in Hannibal, Mo.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years; two sons, Donald W. (and wife Dana) Smith of Springfield and Dennis K. Smith of Glendale, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Christa Hanselman, Mitch Smith, Kimberlie Smith, Kara Smith, Keetra Smith and Kendra Smith; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers and was the last survivor in his immediate family.

He was a member of Lincoln Christian Church, where he served as usher and greeter and was a member of the Friendship Corner Sunday school class. He was also a member of the Lincoln Ministerial Association, Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. 210 as a 32nd degree Mason, Logan County Shrine and Ansar Shrine in Springfield. He was also a proud member of the Tin Lizzy Patrol.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lincoln Christian Church, the Christian Village, Hospice Care of Southern Illinois and Oasis senior center.

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