Jack F. Smith Jr.

Jack Frank Smith, Jr., 64, passed away at 9:10PM on Saturday, January 7, 2016 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO after a very quick battle with cancer. Jack was born in Danville, IL on August 28, 1952 to Jack Frank, Sr. and Alma Ruth (Frobose) Smith. Jack became interested in police work as a teenager when he was one of the original members of an Explorer Scout post dedicated to law enforcement. He graduated from Danville High School in 1970 and then attended Danville Area Community College majoring in police science and joined the police cadet program. He served in the US Navy from 1972-1976, graduating from recruit training at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, completing schooling as a Seaman Radioman in Bainbridge, Maryland, and serving in Attack Squadron 45 in Cecil Field, Florida as Radioman Second Class. Jack moved back to Danville in 1976 to finish the police cadet program and became a patrolman with the Danville Police Department in 1978. He joined the criminal investigation division in 1985 and was promoted to sergeant in 1991 with 4 of his police cases featured on the "Forensic Files" tv show. At the age of 45, Jack retired from the Danville Police Department to open his own private investigation agency in Danville, Smith Investigations. After retiring a second time, Jack worked part-time at the Food Lion grocery store in Fort Mill, South Carolina and upon returning to Mahomet, IL in 2015, he most recently worked part-time at the Mahomet IGA. Jack married Kelley Louise O'Neil on March 17, 1984 at St. Paul's Catholic church in Danville, IL, and she survives. Surviving children include son Greg (Annie) Forbes, daughter Susan (Nathan) Adamson, daughter Kayla Smith, son Zach Smith, and furry kids Josie, Abby and Kasey. He is "Papa Smiff" to 6 grandchildren; Sydney and Alexis Young, Amelia Adamson, Ruby Forbes-Hampton, Olivia and Logan Forbes. Also surviving is brother John L. Smith, sister-in-laws Peggy and Karen O'Neil, and special Aunt Shirley Hawn. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved best furry friend, Sherlock. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 13, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, IL with Pastor Mark Keyser of Ridgeview Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, January 12, at the funeral home. Entombment will be held at Sunset Memorial Park with military rites by American Legion Post #210. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the American Cancer Society or other charity of your choice. Please join Jack's family in sharing photos and memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Visitation Jan 12, 2017 Thursday, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Service Jan 13, 2017 Friday, 10:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Final Resting Place Sunset Memorial Park 3901 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834