Lauren M. Engelke-Smith

Lauren was born on June 8, 1978, the daughter of Thomas W. and Evelyn (Wilson) Engelke. She married James Aaron Smith on May 24, 2003, in Worton, Maryland.

She graduated from Queen Anne’s Country High School in 1996. Lauren then went on to get her bachelor’s degree from Wesley College and later her master’s degree from University of Illinois, Springfield. She was a special education teacher for both Springfield and Ball-Chatham Schools. She also was a principal at Beardstown. Lauren collaborated with others on a book called “Embracing the Impact of Cancer: Inspirational Stories of Hope." She enjoyed writing, kayaking, and sitting outside in the sun.

Lauren was preceded in death by her father, Thomas “Pastor Tom”; paternal grandparents Harry and Marion Engelke; maternal grandparents, George and Bernice Wilson; grandfathers-in- law, James Oliver Smith, and Clarence Drew.

She is survived by her, mother; husband, Aaron; sons, Gabriel and Xavier Smith; daughter, Ebby Smith; siblings Charlene Schimmel and Tony Engelke; in-laws Sandra and Rickey Kluck; grandmothers- in –law, Frances Drew and Nina Smith; dogs, Skylar and Molly; cats, Church, Ripley, Freya, and Marcy; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will host a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Church, 3000 Lenhart Road, Springfield

Memorial contributions may be made to: Lauren Engelke-Smith Memorial for her Children’s college fund.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.