OBITUARY: James "Rod" Smith
James "Rod" Smith, age 82 of Harrisburg, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015, at his residence in Harrisburg.
"Rod" was born in Muddy, on Nov. 30, 1932, to the late Harry Winston Smith and Ruth (Dillard) Smith. He married the former Margaret Owen on Aug. 19, 1956; and she survives in Harrisburg. "Rod" retired from the Whirlpool Factory in Evansville, Ind., where he worked on the assembly line. He was a Korean War Veteran and a member of Oasis Church of the Nazarene. He was a longtime Little League Baseball Coach and was an avid Los Angeles Dodgers and Harrisburg Bulldogs Fan.
"Rod" is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret Smith of Harrisburg; son Gary "G Rod" Smith and wife Jean Ann of Harrisburg; daughter, Beth Billo and husband Bruce of St. Louis, Mo.; son, Steve Smith and special friend Cindy Patton of Harrisburg; son, Kevin Smith and wife Angela of Vienna; five grandchildren, Kyle W. Smith and wife Heather, Christopher Billo, Lauren Webb and husband David Michael, Peyton Smith and Cole Smith; five great-grandchildren, Kaylee Vinson, Gracelynn Vinson, Connor Smith, Lindsey Webb and Isaiah Webb; sister, Joy Emery and husband Paul of Harrisburg; sister, Mary Smith of Harrisburg; sister-in-law, Norma Smith of Harrisburg; several nieces and nephews; special "grandchildren" Shirley Lawler and Bailey Wilson; and special friend, Gary "Bull" Foster and girlfriend Teresa Bennett.
"Rod" was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Don Smith.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. The Rev. Mike Smith and the Rev. Mark Smith will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Garden Cemetery in Harrisburg. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2015, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.