Dale L. Smith (79) of Marion

Dale L. Smith, 79 of Marion, died at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at SIH Herrin Hospital, Herrin, IL.

A private family memorial service will be held on October 9, 2021 at Union Cemetery, Altamont with Rev. Maria Bonine officiating. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dale Lee Smith was born on Monday, August 10, 1942 in St. Joseph, IL to Leslie B. “Tom” and Thelma M. (Higgs) Smith. He married Nancy A. Milleville on November 26, 1960 in Altamont. They enjoyed almost fifty-four years of marriage before she preceded him in death on November 16, 2014. He retired from Champaign County in the maintenance department.

Dale enjoyed NASCAR, Illini Basketball, garage sales, auctions, flea markets and woodworking; building just about anything out of wood. He loved living in the Lake of Egypt area where he had made many friends and was always willing to help out around the neighborhood with mowing or putting his carpentry skill to work.

He is survived by: his daughter, Annette Whitehouse of Champaign; son, Bradley D. Smith and his wife Sunday Wright-Smith of Potsdam, NY; brother, Les (Judy) Smith of Altamont; twin-sister, Gail Lefler of Loxahatchee, FL; sister, Brenda Hofmann of Altamont; four grandchildren, Rory (Cassidy Jones) Meier of Royal, Brenna (Jose) Nunez of Tilton, Virginia Grace and Kainan Smith; great grandson, Lincoln Meier; great granddaughter, Emerson Meier; numerous friends; and special friend Carol Perkins of West Frankfort.

Dale was preceded in death by: his parents; sons, Brian Keith Smith and Randy Lee Smith; brothers, Gerald ‘Pood’ Smith and Ray Allen Smith; sisters, Roberta Woodmansee and Sue Cochran.

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