Smith, Ellis

Ellis Fay Smith, 90, of rural Petersburg, died at 8:30 p.m, Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at St. John’s hospice.

He was born February 24, 1919, in Ellis (Sangamon County), Illinois, the son of Luther James Smith and Eva Anna Fay Smith. He married Harriett Estell Primm in St. Charles, Missouri, on May 11, 1940. He was predeceased by his parents, a son, James Ellis; a daughter, Beverly Ann Valbert, a great-grandson, and a sister, Mary Ferreira.

He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Athens. He graduated from Williamsville High School in 1937. He was a mechanic, working at Emmons’ Standard and, later, Emmons’ Gulf Stations in Williamsville. He owned and operated Sherman Garage and retired from Roland Machinery in Springfield. He was a volunteer fireman in Sherman, school bus driver, avid gardener, dog lover and bird watcher.

Surviving are his wife, Harriett Smith, Heritage Manor; three daughters Joyce (Elton) Lanier of East Peoria, Karen (Ken) Lindley of Springfield and Kathy (Ed) Lloyd, of Savannah, Missouri; 13 grandchildren: Bonita (Allen) Malecha, Robert E. Valbert, Bradley (Denise) Valbert, Brenda (Kevin) Bragg, Brian Valbert, Donald (DeAnn) Fraser, Jennifer (Mathew) Larson, Mandy (Ron) Dunham, Ashley (Bo Wilson) Smith, Nicole Kelso, Tabitha (Justin) Berry, Josh (Erin) Lloyd, Phylicia Lloyd; 26 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren.

There will be a private burial Friday afternoon and a public Life Celebration at Mott & Henning Funeral Home, Athens, Friday at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to The Fifth Street Renaissance/SARA Center – VETERANS, P.O. Box 5181, Springfield, IL62702.

On-line condolences can be made at chrismac:8888/mott/.