Ephra Smith

Ephra Bodine Smith, 90, a Bismarck area resident for most of her life, died at 4:25 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Hoopeston Community Memorial Nursing Home. Ephra was born September 26, 1916, in Bismarck, Illinois, daughter of Frank and Ava Law Bodine. She attended Price grade school in Vermilion County and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1934. She married Vernon Smith on February 17, 1937, in Bismarck. They operated a dairy farm most of their married life in the Bismarck area, and in later years raised beef cattle. Her husband preceded her on November 14, 1974. She had resided at the Hoopeston nursing home since August 2006. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Bismarck United Methodist Church. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and University of Illinois sports fan and enjoyed embroidery, quilting, crochet work and doing word puzzles. Survivors include daughter, Martha (Bert) Howe of Watseka; son Les (Holly) Smith of Charlotte, MI; daughter-in-law Karen (Tom) Smith of Minier; two sisters-in-law: Lois Smith of Danville and Dorothy Bodine of Gillette, WY; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded by her parents; son Tom; grandchild Randy; and three brothers and a sister. A Celebration of Ephras Life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at Sunsets Community & Life Tribute Center, 3550 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL (formerly Lakeside-Barrick Funeral Chapel) with Pastor Glenn Huffman officiating. Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest at Gundy Cemetery in Bismarck. Memorials may be made to the Bismarck United Methodist Church.