Larry Paul Smith, 76, of Westville, passed away with family by his side on January 23, 2020, at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville.
Larry was born May 8, 1943, the son of Howard and Betty (Van Horn) Smith in Moline, Ill.
Larry married the love of his life, Marie Schifo, on June 10, 1967. They enjoyed 52 years together and she will miss holding his hand everywhere they went.
Larry leaves behind two sons, Joseph (Krystyn) Smith of Waxhaw, N.C., and Matthew (Jessica) Smith of Normal, Ill.; five grandchildren, Morgan (Jake), Alexis, Isabella, Lukas and Jakob; one great-granddaughter, Maddilyn; two brothers, David and Dennis Smith; one sister, Barbara (George) Dudich; two brothers-in-law, Jim (Alyce) Schifo and Bob Schifo (Vina Thompson). He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Betty Smith.
Larry was a teacher and a basketball coach at St. Patrick's school in Danville, and a principal at St. Mary's school in Westville. He later became a district executive for the Prairielands Boy Scout Council.
Larry loved country music and enjoyed playing the guitar and attending jam sessions and local music events with friends and family. Larry also enjoyed time fishing, camping and going to Scouting events with his sons.
Larry was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westville Sportsman's Club, and the Music of the Heartland Society. He also was a merit badge counselor and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 234 in Westville.
Above all, Larry was a very giving and loving man who put family above all else.
A Mass with Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday January 28, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westville, Ill. Father Timothy Sauppe will officiate. Burial will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Westville. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, January 27, at Sunset Funeral Home, 414 S. State St., Westville, IL 61883, with Rosary service starting at 3:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made in Larry's name to Prairielands Scout Council, St. Jude's Children's Hospital or St. Mary's Catholic Church Food Pantry. Please join Larry's family in sharing memories on his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com |