Hubert W. Smith (88) of Altamont
Published on January 28 2019 8:51 am
Hubert Wayne Smith, 88, of Altamont, passed away at 2:20 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 1 at the First United Methodist Church, Altamont with Rev. Ed Wojnar and Rev. Paige Campbell officiating. Burial will follow at Arborcrest Memorial Park, Rural Effingham with military rites by Grobengieser-Fischer American Legion Post #512. Visitation will begin after a 4:30 p.m. Masonic Service and conclude at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Altamont FFA, Ballard Nature Center, or Arborcrest Memorial Park. Gieseking Funeral home, Altamont, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Hubert was born on Tuesday, September 9, 1930 at home in Keptown, IL to Hugh and Anna (Johnson) Smith. He married Bernadine “Bunny” Coleman on May 7, 1951.
Surviving are his wife; daughters Sherry (John) Robertson of Altamont, Melody (Dennis) Morrison of Altamont; sister Nadine Antonides of Kendalville, IN; brother Lloyd Smith of Mt. Zion; sisters-in-law Irene Smith, Shirley Smith both of Altamont; grandchildren Brittny (Nick) Gipson of Dieterich, Beau (Stephanie) Morrison of Altamont, Chance Morrison of Altamont and Cyrena (Daniel) Urbik of Olathe, KS; great grandchildren Logan, Owen and Jackson Gipson, Elizabeth and Quinn Morrison, Gemma, Titus and Leo Urbik.
Hubert and Bunny were unofficial foster parents to four men they thought of like sons; Harley Pagel of Lincoln, Richard Pagel of Cave Creek, AZ, Jerry Bush of Altamont and Roy McKinney of Altamont, also surviving.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Marie Bannick, Evelyn (Charles) Clagg, Maxine (Frank) Belinsky; brothers Warren Smith, Earl Smith; brother-in-law Lee Antonides; sister-in-law Mary Ann Smith.
As an entrepreneur, he started a trucking business at 16, worked as a welder for Allis Chalmers and Oliver, followed by carpentry and construction. He also worked for Norge, while starting his farm. He was the owner of Bunny’s Berries where he sold strawberries and blueberries from the farm. He retired as a grain and livestock farmer.
He was a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951-52, member of Dexter Methodist Church, Altamont, Illinois Innovators and Investors Club, Altamont Masonic Lodge #533, Grobengieser-Fischer American Legion Post #512, Effingham County Farm Bureau, Honor Flight recipient, and served as a former Altamont FFA Advisor.
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