George Smith III

Decatur– George F. Smith III “Frank” 74 passed away at his home with his family and friends by his side at 1:35 p.m., on May 20^th 2012.

Services to celebrate Frank’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m.Thursday, May 24, 2012at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt.Zionwith Pastor Randall Garrett officiating.  Visitation will be from 12:00Noonuntil service time on Thursday.  Burial will be in Mt.GileadCemetery, Decatur.  Memorials may be made to FirstGeneralBaptistChurchor St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital.  Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.

 Frank was bornAugust 6, 1937, inEast Alton,ILthe son of George F. and Gladys Mae (Highfill) Smith Jr.  He graduated high school fromWoodRiverHigh Schooland went on to graduate in 1959 from theUniversityofIllinoiswith a BS in Chemical Engineering.  He had received scholarships for academics and had worked continuously to put himself through school.  While at the U of I, he joined the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, and had met his wife Judith Lynn White.  They remained happily married for the remainder of Frank’s life, a total of 51 years.  Following his graduation he went to work at the Shell Oil Company inWoodRiver.  Later, they moved toMenasha,WIwhere he worked at Appleton Coated Paper Company.  He then moved toDecaturto assist in taking care of both sets of parents in theEast AltonandChampaign,IL.  Once back inDecatur, Frank worked at A E Staley Company in the starch division and was originator of the Ethanol Division at Staley’s.  He retired from Staley’s but continued to work as a stock trader for over twenty five years.

He loved to ski, bowl, and build, but he loved his family more than anything.  He loved his bowling leagues, both singles and couples.  His other love was building.  He helped design both houses and worked on bulldozers, etc.; nothing stopped him.  If he didn’t know how to do something, he would buy a book and build it.  He also loved boating, skiing and saucer riding, and playing bridge.  He was an excellent bridge player and enjoyed the competition of playing.

He is survived by his loving wife: Judith of Decatur; daughters: Susan May Smith of Mt. Zion and her children: Ben, Jennifer, Grace and Anna; and Sheryl Smith Ferry and her husband Tim of Kenosha, WI and their children: John, Ellen, Sam, Max and Jack.  Also surviving are many nieces and nephews residing inIndiana.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his only son George F. Smith IV who was called home to be with the Lord two years ago.

The family wishes to extend their special thanks to Pastor Randall Garrett and his wife Starla.  Also, their sincere gratitude to Dr. Sobol, Dr. Valasco, DMH,KindredHospital, St. John’s Hospital, Dr. Rodhe, Dr. Waputi, Dr. Salado and their staffs for the compassion and care shown to Frank during his illness.