Charles Smith

CAIRO, Ill. -- Charles Louis Smith, 84, of Cairo died at 7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at Daystar Nursing and Rehab Center in Cairo.

He was born in Cairo on Oct. 14, 1930, to Loren Bronson and Willa Mae Willard Smith.

Charles attended grade school and high school in Cairo. His life's work was that of a carpenter and general contractor, and he was most recently employed by Bode's Drug Store in Mound City, Illinois. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo, where he served as an extraordinary minister of the eucharist.

Charles was honorably discharged as a sergeant of the United States Army having served in Alaska during the Korean War. He was a life member of the Mounds VFW and member of the American Legion in Villa Ridge, Cairo Elks Lodge No. 651 and the Alexander-Pulaski Sportsmen's Club.

Charles first married Judith Austin and later married Patricia Thompson Hornbeak, who survives. He is also survived by his daughters and their husbands, Angela and James Biggerstaff of Grand Chain, Illinois, Susan and Randy Aden of Anna, Illinois, and Melanie and Greg Belcher of Pittsburg, Illinois; five grandchildren, Bronson (Heather) Biggerstaff, Aaron (Ashlea) Aden, Nathan (Anne) Belcher, Nichoal Belcher and Brittany Biggerstaff; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Duke of Evans, Georgia, and Jeanne Passantino of Denison, Texas; and a brother, Donald R. Smith of Denison, Texas; nieces; nephews; and other relatives.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by three brothers, Walter Smith, Harold Smith and James Smith; and one sister, Judy Jordan.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Crain Funeral Home in Cairo. Rosary service will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo, with Father Chris Mujule and the Rev. Larry Potts officiating. Military honors will be accorded by local veterans and the Illinois National Guard. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge, Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Church Building Fund.

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