Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for James J. Smith, 78, a resident of Andalusia, Ill., will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 9619 140th St W, Taylor Ridge, Ill.
The committal service will take place privately at Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home. There will be additional visitation on Saturday at the church from 9:30 until the time of service. Mr. Smith passed away on Sept. 22, 2009 at his residence in Andalusia.
James Jay Smith was born on Jan. 21, 1931 in Davenport, a son of Charles A. and Jennie (Kavanagh) Smith. He graduated from St. Ambrose Academy in 1949 and Chicago Tech. Jim proudly served our county in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951 until 1953. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, and was the recipient of two bronze stars and the United Nations service medal.
Jim was united in marriage to Mary Lou Sweeney on Feb. 19, 1955 at St. Alphonsus, Davenport. They shared over 54 years of marriage and memories together. Jim went to work for Mueller Lumber Co. and he later retired from Alcoa in 1993.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, St. Ambrose 49ers Club, and The Buffalo Outing Club. Jim enjoyed volunteering at the Bix. He also loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, golfing, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Da Bears. Most of all Jim loved his family and spending time with his many grandchildren. Jim’s sense of humor was well known, and he always had the latest joke straight from the Snapple cap, and a smile on his face.
Memorials may be made to Camp Courageous, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou; their children, Barb Vance, Jim (Anne) Smith, Kathy (Don) Hall, Ann (Rowdy) Weeks, Jerry (Robin) Smith, Karen (Larry) Cawiezell, Joe (Gina) Smith, John (Jean) Smith, and Jeff (Rick Weipert) Smith; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lorraine Razor and Dolores (Walter) Willanger; brothers, Charles (Beverly) Smith and Edward (Betty) Smith.
The family wishes to thank Linda Cheek of Trinity Hospice for the loving care and concern she gave Jim. He was preceded in death by, infant twins, and his parents and stepmother, Veva Smith. Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed by visiting Jim’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
