A6 The Southern Illinoisan Tuesday, December 19, 2023 OBITUARIES James G. Smtih CAPE CORAL, Fla. Dr. James G. Smith, formerly of Carbondale, Illinois, died peacefully in his sleep on Oct.
31, 2023, at The Gallery Memory Care Facility in Cape Coral, Florida. He was 93 years young. Jim was born to the late Ruby Francis (Darnell) and Jesse Smith of Benton, Illinois, on May 1, 1930. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Barbara (Smothers) Smith, who passed away Nov 20, 1995. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Bill B.
Smith, his sister Christina (Smith) Rose, nephews, Mathew Turner and Don Smith, and nieces baby Jilissa Holt and her mother Terry McDaniel. He is survived by his daughter Julie (Regina) Smith of Cape Coral, where he resided for the last 10 years. Also survived by his brother-in-law, Dale Smothers; nephews, Greg Rose, Gordon Smith, Ron Smith, Roger Smith, Wallis Turner, Joe Smothers, Allen Smothers; and nieces, Cynthia Rose, Janice Davis, Donna Meier, Nancy Sachs, Penny Linduff; and many great nephews and nieces and their families. To all family members he was known as Barbara were married on Jim was a brilliant man and accomplished so much in his lifetime. He grew up on his farm where he worked night and day.
He then decided to enlist in the army and served in the Korean War from 1951-1953. He served in the 2nd Infantry as a Sergent and a teaching position received various medals, at Southern Illinois but was most proud of his Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged. After arriving home, he met Barbara on a blind date, thanks to his friend and future brother-in-law Hosea Martoglio. At the time, Barb was working in Chicago, so they managed to see each other on weekends.
While he was trying to figure out what to do with his life, his Aunt Cecil told him he should served in many positions go to college and get a degree. He applied for various scholarships and eventually chairman grants and received a full scholarship to Rolla, Missouri, where he received his Bachelors, Masters, and PhD from the University of Missouri at Rolla in Electrical Engineering and Physics. He began his career as an associate professor teaching in the Engineering Department at the University of Rolla. During this time, he and July 29, 1955. On Sept.
15, 1962, Barb received a phone call from the adoption agency that they had a baby girl who was available for adoption. The adoption was finalized on Sept 25, 1962, and they named her Julie. In 1964, Jim accepted University at Carbondale, Illinois, as an associate professor and was teaching at the School of Engineering and Technology. They then moved to Southern Hills and lived there for two years while building their dream home in Parrish Acres in Carbondale. In 1966, they moved into their new home, and in 1967, Jim became professor, Emeritus.
Over the years, he in the Engineering department and was and dean for the College of Engineering and Technology, in 1980. Jim was also awarded numerous grants and was cited in several publications, including: Wind Technology, Lightning Research Lab pg. 181, 1981; Electro-Osmotic Dewatering of Ultrafine Coal pg. 577; The Journal of Electrical Engineering Education Vol. 59 page 310; 10th Annual Engineering Conference of Reliability page 215, 1985; Guide to Graduate Programs in Engineering and Applied Sciences, pg.
124, 1985; Graduate Programs in the Physical Sciences and Mathematics pg. 614, 1987; Annual Guide and Graduate Study Vol. 4, pg. 528, 1982; Education and Training Needs of Nuclear Power Industry, 1980; The Continuous United States Mineral Appraisal Program, 1984; Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports, 1989; and Framework of Lightning Modeling: Comparing Results, International Aerospace and Ground Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity. Jim was extremely passionate about SIU and loved teaching and mentoring his students.
Two of his students, Rob Fritz and Jeff Clay, became special friends and colleagues throughout his years. He was a member and president of The Science Center in Carbondale, which he helped develop with the help of Gerry Smith and others. He was also a member and president of the Rotary Club. There, he was a huge advocate in getting women involved in their group. Jim also was a fan of watching Julie and her teammates playing basketball, softball, and volleyball.
To all of friends he was known as He also helped Larry Moon coach the girls softball team for a couple of years. Jim and Barb never missed one of her games. They were her biggest cheerleaders. Jim also loved owning farmland with his nephew Gordon Smith and several other friends. They invested in several farmlands together and loved hunting together.
He was extremely proud of being a part of The Quail Farm. Throughout the years, Jim and Barb loved traveling to Sanibel Island Florida each Christmas and New Years. They both loved shelling on Beach while renting a condo at Blind Pass. Jim retired from SIU in 1994 and Barb died in 1995. It was then that he traveled the world with SIUC students and colleagues to Ireland, Egypt, Wales, etc.
In 2013, Julie purchased a home in Cape Coral, after she sold her home in Pennsylvania. It was then Jim sold his house in 2014 and moved to Cape Coral with her. This is where he continued his passion of shelling and boating to Sanibel Island at Beach. Jim was always looking for that perfect shell that was unique and rare. On his 85th birthday, Julie bought him a French Brittany named Lilly.
He loved walking her 3-4 miles per day, up until the age of 91. He loved that little girl more than anything. As per his wishes, ashes will be scattered along Beach at Sanibel Island; Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery at Benton, Illinois, next to his wife Barbara; and along several farms in which he owned and invested in Franklin County. Anyone wishing to make a donation in his name should contact the The Science Center. Their address is 1237 E.
Main Street Space Carbondale, IL. The phone number is 618-529-5431. Daniel Ray Smith CLEMMONS, N.C. Daniel Ray Smith, 77, of Clemmons, North Carolina, formerly of Marion, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 4:45 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec.
15, 2023, at his home in Clemmons, surrounded by his children. He was born on April 3, 1946, in Benton, Illinois, at the home of his grandparents. He was the son of Robert Gene and Charlotte May-Marie (Jarvis) Smith. Soon after, his family moved to DuQuoin, Illinois, where he attended school, was a track athlete, and a graduate of DuQuoin High School Class of 1964. Shortly after his graduation, he answered the call of duty to our great nation by enlisting into the United States Navy.
The majority of his service was aboard a ship stationed in the Mediterranean Sea as a Sonar Man tracking Russian submarines. After his period of faithful service, he was honorably discharged in 1968. Upon returning to the DuQuoin area, he began working at the well-known DuQuoin Meat Packing Plant. He then met Jane Ellen Atwood while back in DuQuoin, and they were united in marriage on July 2, 1971. Together, they shared 49 years of marriage, until her death on August 9, 2020.
family were coal miners and through their influence, he received a job with Freeman United Coal Company, Orient 6. He worked very hard as a coal miner himself for 28 years, then retired to become the main caregiver to his wife and youngest son. While living in Marion, he was a member of the Marion Church of God. Dan was North Court Street, a devout Pentecostal and found great joy in being very involved in all the many activities of the church, including Wednesday, Dec. 20, holding several leadership roles.
He always made time to witness for our Lord and funeral home at 10 a.m. found creative ways to share the love of Jesus with everyone. In his spare time, Dan enjoyed many types of music, was an avid photographer, enjoyed collecting and watching movies especially John Wayne Westerns, was an exceptional chef, and loved gardening. He loved roses, with his favorites being and He loved his family very much and enjoyed Navy Funeral Honors the many times they shared together, always interested in hearing about all the activities going on in their daily lives. These many memories created will now be cherished by those he leaves behind.
Food Pantry, He was known by his children as being Best Daddy He is survived by his daughter, Christine Smith-Hannah, and husband, Sean of Lewisville; youngest son, Shawn Daniel Smith of Clemmons; granddaughter, Abaigeal condolence of memory Delaney Hannah of Lewisville; two sisters, Sandy Hill and husband, com or for additional Dwight of DuQuoin, Illinois, and Mary Ellen funeral home at Lovell of Hockley, Texas; very close family friend, Blair Harris of Clemmons; a host of nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and eldest son, Mark Alan Carter. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 Marion, Illinois. The visitation will be at the funeral home from 4-6 p.m. 2023.
The funeral service will be held at the Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, with Rod Joplin presiding. Internment will immediately follow in Rose Hill Cemetery of Marion, Illinois, with a Celebration of Life luncheon to be held afterwards. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by members of the Marion V.F.W. Heyde-Pillow Post 1301 Funeral Honors Detail and the United States Detail.
For those who prefer memorial donations versus flowers, the family requests they be directed to either or all: Finding Forever Animal Rescue, Murphysboro or St. Jude Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, Marion, Illinois 62959. To leave an online please visit our website at wilsonmcreynolds.
information call the 618-993-2131. Esther Dunbar MARION Esther Dunbar departed this life at 1:23 p.m. Dec. 17, 2023. She was 95 years, 10 months, and 2 days old.
Esther was born on Feb. 15, 1928, in Carrier Mills, to Loral Stinson and Madge (Shaw) Russell. On June 30, 1950, Esther married her long-time sweetheart, and love of her, life Glendell Dunbar. Together, they enjoyed 62 years of marriage before his passing on Jan. 5, 2013.
Survivors include two sons, John Russell and Cecilia Arlene Dunbar of Marion and Chris and Vicki Dunbar of Marion; grandchildren, Zeppelyn Dawn and the late Dr. Clay Thomas Brewer of Marion, Cody Russell and Jennie Elizabeth Dunbar of Greenville, South Carolina, Travis Graham and Salina Marie Dunbar of Marion, Kashia Brooke and John Wallace Cook of Mulkeytown; great-grandchildren, Braydon Thomas Brewer, Henley Elizabeth Dunbar, Sawyer Glen Dunbar, Adeline Marie Dunbar, Piper Brooke Cook, and Boston Wallace Cook. Esther was completely devoted to her family. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was known as Meme and Papaw never missed an opportunity to watch them in their sports, dance, and cheerleading.
Esther graduated from Carrier Mills High School in 1945. Shortly after, she began her working career as a secretary for Sahara Coal Company, school bus driver for Marion Unit secretary for the late Senator Gene Johns, and finally, secretary for Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home. with Dr. Bob Dickerson Esther loved her church family. She joined Marion First Baptist Church in the early and was a lifelong member.
If the doors were open, Esther was there. She was an active member in the choir and joy singers for many years, Church of Marion. and often spoke dearly Envelopes will be of her Sunday school class. In addition, Esther loved Marion Cultural Civic Center, and never 900 N. Court missed an opportunity Marion, Illinois 62959.
to volunteer selling snacks at the concession. Esther touched so many lives in so many ways. She was selfless and always wanted to care for others before herself. She will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew her. Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Loral and Madge Russell; husband, Glen Dunbar; and sister, Barbara Slinkard.
Special thanks to Mike Malone and Bob Dickerson. Your kindness, grace, and devotion will forever be in our hearts. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion. The visitation will be at the funeral home from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec.
20. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., following visitation, presiding. Entombment will follow in Salem Cemetery of Carrier Mills. The family has requested for those who prefer, memorial donations may be directed to First Baptist available at the funeral home or may be mailed Wilson-McReyn- olds Funeral Home, To leave an online condolence of memory visit wilsonmcreynolds. com.
For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131. SEE OBITUARIES PAGE A8 YOUR CUSTOMER JUST READ THIS AD. Ad ve tis in The outhern Illinoisa n..
