Paul Smith

Paul Smith, 89, of Villa Grove passed away on Monday, July 4, 2022 at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana.

Paul was born on July 22, 1932 in Oklahoma to Bradford B. and Sally (Hallmark) Garrison.  He married Edna R. Akers on May 4, 1957 in Camargo.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edna Smith; three children, Kathy (Tom) Stephenson, Jeff (Kami) Smith, and Bart (Tracy) Smith; seven grandchildren, Kimberly (Chad) Martin, Dustin (Jessica) Smith, Courtney (Dan Riddle) Smith, Jordan (Taylor) Smith, Telya (Rodney Gimondo) Smith, Zack Keller, and Lindsey May; and 12 great-grandchildren, Kara, Kali, Kora, Landyn, CJ, Syndie, Savannah, Trenton, Taelyn, Blaiklee, Kinley, and Lainey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Becka, three sisters, and two brothers.

Paul was raised in Lanton, Missouri and attended West Plains High School.  He proudly served in the Army for three years and fought in the Korean War.  Once out of the military he worked for the Tuscola IGA for 32 years before he retired.  He was a big NASCAR fan and rarely missed a race on TV.  Paul was a member of the Villa Grove First Christian Church.  He was very close to God and loved to read his bible daily. 

A funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2022 at the Joines Funeral Home (Villa Grove) with Pastor Mike Zylstra officiating; burial immediately following at the Centennial Cemetery in Villa Grove.  A visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service (3pm – 5 pm) at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church of Villa Grove.

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