Montelle 'Gene' Smith

Montelle (Gene) left his earthly home to be reunited with his wife in heaven at 5:20 PM on January 20th, 2015 at Pleasant Meadows Senior Living surrounded by his family and loved ones. Gene was born on Sept. 23rd, 1935 to D. Juanita and Alfred L. Smith in State Line, Illinois. On October 17th, 1953 he married the love of his life, Harriett A. Walker. She preceded him in death on Jan. 29th, 2007 after 53 years of marriage. Of that marriage 5 children were born, Melody L. (Donald) Gross of Danville, IL, Kenneth L. (Charlene) Smith of Marysville, WA., Delores F. (Jeffrey) Grubb of Urbana, IL., Monty (now deceased) Smith, and Dawn Marie (Douglas) Nord of Danville, Ill. He is survived by 4 of his children, 12 grandchildren, Cameron (Kate) Gross, Robin Brooks, Stacey (David) Smith, Jeremy (Laura) Gross, Shannon (Jason) Martin, Adam (Cassandra) Grubb, Laura Grubb, Sarah Grubb, Danielle (Michael) March, Courtney (Daniel) Williams, Douglas Nord and Blake Nord and 22 great grandchildren. He was anticipating the arrival of 4 more great grandchildren and the first great great grandchild in the next few months. Gene is also survived by 4 of his 5 siblings, Cherie (Rich) Astell of West Lebanon, IN., Ron (Donnee) Smith of Schereville, IN, Larry (Lori) Smith of Muncie, IL and Luan (Kurt) Johnson of Westville, IL and two sisters in law, Clara F. Nault of Sebastian, FL and M. Leone Mascari of Kentucky along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents along with one son, Monty, 2 grandsons, Ryan Smith and Lee Grubb, and one brother, Wayne Smith and 2 brothers in law, Arthur Nault and Frank Mascari. In his younger years after serving in the Marine Corps, Gene made his primary living as a mechanic both on vehicles and large machinery. He would often work various odd jobs at the same time usually at a local gas station as an attendant. During his years residing in Mountlake Terrace, WA he also was a Volunteer Fire Fighter and a Paramedic and also served as Cub Master for the local Boy Scout Troup for several years. After retiring he and Harriett moved from Washington State to Arizona where he worked in the mining industry for a few years and enjoyed the camper/RV life style of living. In the late 1980's Gene and Harriett made the decision to move back to their home state of Illinois and for several years were the caretakers of his parents. During that time he worked at the local Short Stop Grocery/Gas Station on Henning Road as the manager. Gene loved the outdoors, camping and tinkering around. He also loved music, although it was a joke amongst those who loved him that he was quite "tone deaf" when it came to singing. He played the guitar, the auto harp and most recently was attempting to learn to play the mandolin. Most of all, however, he loved his family. He loved going to kids school plays, concerts and ball games and always talked of how blessed he was to have family that included him in everything. He always looked forward to being with his siblings and also with all of his cousins. Since 2007 Gene made his home at the Wolford Apartments and they also became part of his extended family. In his last days at the hospital he told us how much his missed his church and his apartment friends. In the past 3 years Gene had given his life to Christ and loved his new found church home in The Vineyard of Danville, IL. He would become a quiet presence at the church each and every Sunday, always teary eyed when a song would be sung that touched his heart and always loving every message that he heard. Gene's family would like to express their gratitude to Pleasant Meadows Senior Living for the loving care they gave him the entire time he was there and for the love and compassion showed for him and for the entire family. Thank you also to Carle Hospital, their medical staff and caseworkers during his hospital stays there. Thank you to the many church members from all of our familys churches that visited and prayed and especially to Pastor Jay Sorrell from the Danville Vineyard, Rev. C.W. and Debbie Greer from Homer New Life and the Brothers from Apostolic Life Church, for their continuous calls, visits, outreach and prayers. As per Gene's wishes cremation will be entrusted to the care of Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials be made to Pleasant Meadows Senior Living in Chrisman, IL. Montelle (Gene) left his earthly home to be reunited with his wife in heaven at 5:20 PM on January 20th, 2015 at Pleasant Meadows Senior Living surrounded by his family and loved ones. Gene was born on Sept. 23rd, 1935 to D. Juanita and Alfred L. Smith in State Line, Illinois. On October 17th, 1953 he married the love of his life, Harriett A. Walker. She preceded him in death on Jan. 29th, 2007 after 53 years of marriage. Of that marriage 5 children were born, Melody L. (Donald) Gross of Danville, IL, Kenneth L. (Charlene) Smith of Marysville, WA., Delores F. (Jeffrey) Grubb of Urbana, IL., Monty (now deceased) Smith, and Dawn Marie (Douglas) Nord of Danville, Ill. He is survived by 4 of his children, 12 grandchildren, Cameron (Kate) Gross, Robin Brooks, Stacey (David) Smith, Jeremy (Laura) Gross, Shannon (Jason) Martin, Adam (Cassandra) Grubb, Laura Grubb, Sarah Grubb, Danielle (Michael) March, Courtney (Daniel) Williams, Douglas Nord and Blake Nord and 22 great grandchildren. He was anticipating the arrival of 4 more great grandchildren and the first great great grandchild in the next few months. Gene is also survived by 4 of his 5 siblings, Cherie (Rich) Astell of West Lebanon, IN., Ron (Donnee) Smith of Schereville, IN, Larry (Lori) Smith of Muncie, IL and Luan (Kurt) Johnson of Westville, IL and two sisters in law, Clara F. Nault of Sebastian, FL and M. Leone Mascari of Kentucky along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents along with one son, Monty, 2 grandsons, Ryan Smith and Lee Grubb, and one brother, Wayne Smith and 2 brothers in law, Arthur Nault and Frank Mascari. In his younger years after serving in the Marine Corps, Gene made his primary living as a mechanic both on vehicles and large machinery. He would often work various odd jobs at the same time usually at a local gas station as an attendant. During his years residing in Mountlake Terrace, WA he also was a Volunteer Fire Fighter and a Paramedic and also served as Cub Master for the local Boy Scout Troup for several years. After retiring he and Harriett moved from Washington State to Arizona where he worked in the mining industry for a few years and enjoyed the camper/RV life style of living. In the late 1980's Gene and Harriett made the decision to move back to their home state of Illinois and for several years were the caretakers of his parents. During that time he worked at the local Short Stop Grocery/Gas Station on Henning Road as the manager. Gene loved the outdoors, camping and tinkering around. He also loved music, although it was a joke amongst those who loved him that he was quite "tone deaf" when it came to singing. He played the guitar, the auto harp and most recently was attempting to learn to play the mandolin. Most of all, however, he loved his family. He loved going to kids school plays, concerts and ball games and always talked of how blessed he was to have family that included him in everything. He always looked forward to being with his siblings and also with all of his cousins. Since 2007 Gene made his home at the Wolford Apartments and they also became part of his extended family. In his last days at the hospital he told us how much his missed his church and his apartment friends. In the past 3 years Gene had given his life to Christ and loved his new found church home in The Vineyard of Danville, IL. He would become a quiet presence at the church each and every Sunday, always teary eyed when a song would be sung that touched his heart and always loving every message that he heard. Gene's family would like to express their gratitude to Pleasant Meadows Senior Living for the loving care they gave him the entire time he was there and for the love and compassion showed for him and for the entire family. Thank you also to Carle Hospital, their medical staff and caseworkers during his hospital stays there. Thank you to the many church members from all of our familys churches that visited and prayed and especially to Pastor Jay Sorrell from the Danville Vineyard, Rev. C.W. and Debbie Greer from Homer New Life and the Brothers from Apostolic Life Church, for their continuous calls, visits, outreach and prayers. As per Gene's wishes cremation will be entrusted to the care of Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials be made to Pleasant Meadows Senior Living in Chrisman, IL.