Jerry M. Smith's Obituary
Jerry M. Smith, age 79, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 7:10 p.m. at SIH Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, IL.
Jerry was born on January 13, 1943 in DuQuoin, IL, a son to Milford and Diza (Crawshaw) Smith. On March 13, 1981, he married Barb Lodge in Pinckneyville, IL and she survives. He was affiliated with the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL. Jerry had served on the Pinckneyville Fire Department since 1966, as a volunteer for two years, then assistant chief for eleven years and as chief for thirty years. He always thought of his fellow firefighters as extended family. Jerry was an extraction instructor, taught firefighting classes, and helped other fire departments get established. He was a lifetime member and had served on the board of the Coal Belt Fire Protection Association, founding member and had worked as an EMT, board member and honorary board member of the Pinckneyville Ambulance Service, President of the Optimist Club, and a member of the Lions Club and Perry County Emergency 911 Board. Jerry had also worked as an exterminator and had filled fire extinguishers. He was a workaholic, had dedicated his existence to this county and would even take time during bad weather to pick up nurses and take them to work. Jerry was an avid hunter and fisherman, just like his father, and he loved taking people fishing. He also enjoyed helping with and participating in demolition derbies, watching western shows and movies, especially Gunsmoke, boating, 4-wheeling, and collecting fire department memorabilia. He had coached Trico Trap Team all the way to a State win. Jerry was very creative and enjoyed making plaster statues and painting them. He was always very supportive of his family, loved going to their ball games and playing games with them, especially Legos.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Barb Smith of Pinckneyville, IL; three boys, Jerry (Heather) Smith of Grand Junction, CO, Joshua (Tammy) Smith of Grand Junction, CO, and James (Jamie) Smith of Pinckneyville, IL; two daughters, Annette (Mark) Stevens of Rifle, CO and Amanda (Jeff) Ryser of Montrose, CO; his mother-in-law, Darlene Lodge of Percy, IL; eleven grandchildren, Kambri Jones, Koal Smith, Sierra Kuntz, Zerek Kuntz, Zachary Smith, Maranda Ryser, Brianne Brassard, Jake Ryser, Conner Smith, Aryn Smith, and Benjamin Smith; five great-grandchildren, Jayden Jones, Holland Jones, Trenton Smith, Paisley Smith, and Declan Brassard; a brother-in-law, Darl (Linda) Lodge of Ava, IL; four nieces, Jordan (Justin) Meyerhoff of Sparta, IL, Debbie Rodgers of Kansas City, MO, Alice Swetland of Johnson City, TN, and Betty Atchason of Taylorville, IL; three nephews, Codi Davis of Pinckneyville, IL, Hunter (Jessica) Lodge of Campbell Hill, IL, and Colby Davis of Percy, IL; a sister-in-law, Buffie (Donie) Davis of Percy, IL; and his beloved dogs, Smokey and Remington "Remy".
He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Bob Lodge; grandson, Nicholas Smith; sister, Lora Varnum; brother, Cecil Smith; nephew, Bobby Varnum; and his dog, Ruddy.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Jay Lowder officiating. Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL. Firefighter funeral honors will be provided by Pinckneyville Fire Department and Pinckneyville Ambulance Service.
Visitation will be at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday morning at the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Pinckneyville Fire Department, Pinckneyville Ambulance Service or Trico Trap Team.
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