Dean Smith

Dean married the love of his life, Emma Lou Tate, on May 21, 1955. They spent 63 wonderful years together and had two daughters before she unfortunately passed away on September 28, 2018. Dean was a proud member of the General Motors Union; he became an auto worker at Fisher Auto Body in 1955, which later became known as GM, and he retired from there in 1986. He was passionate about wood crafting, welding, making fountains, as well as making and collecting model trains. Above all else, Dean’s family was his priority. He was a loving father and grandfather and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Emma Lou Smith (nee Tate); daughter Cheryl Smith Hermann; his parents and seven brothers.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his daughter, Robin (Michael) Smith Towler; three grandchildren; Bryon Branson, Sarah Schultz, Christopher Branson; ten great grandchildren; Kaylee Mills, Savannah Shultz, Abbigail and Hayden Wirtel, Wyatt Wolfmier, Haley, Hannah, Heidi, Sammuel and Kyla Branson.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.

Visitation: 12:30 PM to 2 PM, Monday, June 28, 2021 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy West, Belleville, IL 62223.

Funeral: 2 PM, Monday, June 28, 2021 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy West, Belleville, IL 62223. Interment will commence afterwards at Valhalla Gardens of Memory.