James William Smith's Obituary
James William Smith, 83, of Decatur, died on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006 in his home.
Mass of the Resurrection celebrating his life will be 10 am Thurs. Oct. 19, 2006 in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Very Rev. James O’Shea celebrant. Visitation will be Wed. evening from 5 to 7 pm in the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home; with a vigil prayer service at 4:30 pm. Burial will be in St. Isidore Cemetery, Bethany with Military Rites conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church or the Susan B. Komen Foundation.
Jim was born on May 15, 1923 in Lovington, the son of James G. and Mary Ellen Ryan Smith. He worked in material control at Caterpillar for 30 years before retiring in 1985. A U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, Jim was a member of the American Legion Post #105, VFW Post #99, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council #577 and the Very Reverend Jeremiah J. Murphy Assembly #211.
Surviving are his children: Diane Bruce Gifford of Decatur, James Michelle Smith of Decatur; Eileen Milligan of Decatur, Pam Kirk Zimmerman of Bloomington and Larry Alexander of Bolingbrook; brother, Bernard Wilma Smith of Joliet; sister, Catherine “Cassie” Selock of Sullivan; sixteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Frances, two sisters and two brothers.
The family of James William Smith is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St. Decatur IL.
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