Jerry F Smith

Born November 24, 1943 in Aurora to Van and Wilberta (Knecht) Smith, he married Jane Reynolds on July 20, 1974 in Peoria.  She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Jeri Jo (Steve) Schreffler of Pekin, Cindy (Scott) Laird of Peoria, Gregory Murphy and Todd Murphy, both of Pekin; six grandchildren, Megan, Jacob and Peyton Schreffler, Tyler and Trey Laird and Ashley Murphy; three brothers, Dennis (Pam) Smith and Van Smith, both of Hartford City, Indiana and Martin Smith of Franklin, Tennessee; and five sisters, Monica (Dave) Booker of Plymouth, Michigan and Mary (Bill) Morris of Keystone, Indiana, Patricia (Gerry) Niekamp of Celina, Ohio, Rita (Paul) Anderson of Canton, Michigan and Martha Stauffer of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Tom Smith.

Jerry was a member of the First Assembly of God in Pekin, where he was super intendant of the Sunday School and also taught Sunday School.  He was very involved at his church and enjoyed doing carpentry projects and many other projects at the church.

He worked forty years as an engineer for Caterpillar, Inc. in Mossville, Decatur, the Peoria Proving Grounds, and also seven years in Peterlee, England, where he helped develop new machines for the company.  He retired in 2005.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, December 16, 2011 at First Assembly of God in Pekin.  Rev. David Carrington will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the church.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.  Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be given to his church at 1209 N. Parkway Dr. Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com