Ernest W. Smith

Ernest William Smith, 95 years and 11 months, went to be with his Heavenly Father at 3:25am on Sunday, Mothers Day (May 9th, 2021) at Bickford Assisted Living in Champaign, Illinois.

He was born May 24th, 1925, in Danville, Illinois at Lakeview Hospital on a Sunday morning at 11:30am to his mother Ruth E. Wilson and his father Ernest Frank Smith. He was preceded in death by his father in 1935, and his mother, Ruth E. Rebenstorf in 1994, his youngest brother Donald Lee Smith in 2008 and his younger brother Jack Smith Sr. in 2010. He married his long-time girlfriend love of his life Frances I. Johnson (Smith) on Oct. 6, 1984, at First United Methodist Church in Crawsfordsville who also preceded him in passing on March 21, 2016. Surviving are his sister-in-law, Garnet McMillan of St. Joseph, Ill; Kimberly Smith Silvey - niece, of Mahomet, IL, nephew Scott McMillan, of Cypress, TX, nephew - Steven L. Smith of Mesa, Ariz, his son Jason Smith great-nephew, nephew - John L. Smith of Danville, IL, 8 great nephews and nieces - including great niece Susan Adamson of Mahomet IL, and over 10 great-great nieces and nephews.

He was a graduate of Danville High School in 1944. He attended Lincoln and Washington Grade schools. Ernie served with the US Army in Germany from Oct. 14th, 1950 to Oct. 13th, 1952. Ernie loved football of all sorts, from having season tickets to the Colts for many years, as well as Purdue football, and University of Illinois football, to working as a line judge for over 15 years at the Danville High School football games. Ernie retired from O.K. trucking as a truck driver and then worked at Hall Freightliner. Even while living in Crawsfordsville, Indiana for more than half of his life Ernie drove back to Danville weekly and sometimes daily to support family and obtain the paper.

Ernie was a member of the American Legion Post in Danville, Illinois as well as a longtime Free Mason. Freemasonry aims to promote Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love among its members. Ernie did indeed work to develop and strengthen bonds of his brothers and friendship with many. Ernie loved to play cards with many close friends.

Ernie loved his wife Frances and their active service life at the First United Methodist Church, loved Jesus and helping at church. If you knew Ernie in his later years he was always a gentleman, very soft spoken, loved driving his beat-up truck and was always very well dressed. He took special care of his wife and one other love of his life his beloved dog Tiffy.

Ernies father passed away when he was age 9 but remained close with his fathers aunts and cousins. He was raised by a loving, hardworking single mother and loved his mother dearly and helped take care of her by driving to see her most days and helping take care of her until her passing. With the knowledge of Ernie passing away on the morning of Mothers Day the family found it fitting that he went to see her that day. Uncle Ernie was also present in the lives of his many nieces and nephews, as he was very close with both of his brothers and their children and their grand-children through-out his life.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Officiating will be Patty Bymaster. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.

Please join Ernests family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Services Visitation Wednesday May 19, 2021 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834 Funeral Service Wednesday May 19, 2021 2:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Il 61834