Ernest William Smith, 95 years and 11 months, went to be with his Heavenly Father at 3:25 a.m. Sunday, Mother’s Day (May 9, 2021) at Bickford Assisted Living in Champaign, Illinois.
He was born May 24, 1925, in Danville, Illinois, at Lakeview Hospital on a Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. to his mother, Ruth E. Wilson and his father, Ernest Frank Smith.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1935, and his mother, Ruth E. Rebenstorf in 1994, his youngest brother Donald Lee Smith in 2008 and his younger brother Jack Smith Sr. in 2010.
He married his long-time girlfriend love of his life, Frances I. Johnson (Smith) on Oct. 6, 1984, at First United Methodist Church in Crawfordsville. She also preceded him in passing on March 21, 2016.
Surviving are his sister-in-law, Garnet McMillan of St. Joseph, Illinois; niece Kimberly Smith Silvey of Mahomet, Illinois; nephew Scott McMillan of Cypress, Texas; nephew Steven L. Smith of Mesa, Arizona and his son, Jason Smith, a great-nephew; nephew John L. Smith of Danville, Illinois; eight great-nephews and nieces, including great niece Susan Adamson of Mahomet Illinois, and over 10 great-great nieces and nephews.
He was a graduate of Danville High School in 1944. He attended Lincoln and Washington Grade schools. Ernie served with the U.S. Army in Germany from Oct. 14, 1950 to Oct. 13, 1952. Ernie loved football of all sorts, from having season tickets to the Colts for many years, as well as Purdue football, and University of Illinois football, to working as a line judge for over 15 years at the Danville High School football games. Ernie retired from O.K. Trucking as a truck driver and then worked at Hall Freightliner. Even while living in Crawfordsville, Indiana for more than half of his life Ernie drove back to Danville weekly and sometimes daily to support family and obtain the paper.
Ernie was a member of the American Legion Post in Danville, Illinois as well as a longtime Free Mason. Freemasonry aims to promote Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love among its members. Ernie did indeed work to develop and strengthen bonds of his brothers and friendship with many. Ernie loved to play cards with many close friends.
Ernie loved his wife Frances and their active service life at the First United Methodist Church, loved Jesus and helping at church. If you knew Ernie in his later years he was always a gentleman, very soft spoken, loved driving his beat-up truck and was always very well dressed. He took special care of his wife and one other love of his life his beloved dog Tiffy.
Ernie’s father passed away when he was age 9 but remained close with his father’s aunts and cousins. He was raised by a loving, hardworking single mother and loved his mother dearly and helped take care of her by driving to see her most days and helping take care of her until her passing. With the knowledge of Ernie passing away on the morning of Mother’s Day the family found it fitting that he went to see her that day. Uncle Ernie was also present in the lives of his many nieces and nephews, as he was very close with both of his brothers and their children and their grandchildren throughout his life.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 19 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville, Illinois. Officiating will be Patty Bymaster. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.
Please join Ernest’s family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.
