Robert 'Gene' Smitley Jr.

SFC Ret. Robert Eugene "Gene" Smitley Jr. of Midwest City, OK. & Danville, IL. passed away at 3:12 am Sunday, 13 September 2015. Born to Judith A. (Hamer) and Robert E. Smitley Sr. on 25 February 2015 at Mountain Home AFB, ID. Gene was a proud member of the Illinois National Guard & United States Army Active Duty serving a total of 28 years protecting our beloved country and freedom, beginning his career as a Combat Medic, and eventually becoming an ICU Licensed Practical Nurse at Ft. Bliss, TX. Gene began working his way up the ladder becoming a Wardmaster of Urology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC., Assistant Chief Wardmaster, and finally Chief Wardmaster for the 47th Field Hospital at Ft. Sill, OK. While stationed at Ft. Sill, he met his wife & life partner of 18 years online. In May 1997, Gene met Kimberlea J. (Foster) face to face for the first time. Marrying in a private Cherokee Native American ceremony on 14 June 1997. After deactivating the 47th FH, the couple moved to Ft. Polk, LA. where Gene served as the Chief Wardmaster for the 115th Field Hospital, the last activate duty army field hospital. While with the 115th, Gene was responsible for Medex 2000, a medical exercise at Camp Zama, Japan and in 2003 deployed the Field Hospital to Camp Airif John Kuwait where he designed and built his last field hospital. The design would become a permanent brick and mortar hospital. The Smitley's were stationed at Fort Monroe, VA with duty at Fort Sam Houston, TX where Gene served as the Quality Assurance for all Army Medical Units. On 1 May 2007, Gene retired from Active Duty and in December 2012, the couple moved to Midwest City, OK, where they filled their retirement spending time with their wonderful grandchildren and playing Lords of the Dragon (LOD). Gene was a member of the Catlin Masonic Lodge and attained the high honor of 32nd degree; In 2004, Gene and Kimberlea become sponsors for an inner city youth organization called the Misfits of Society (MoS) and humbly accepted their role as "Mama and Dad" becoming parent figures to the teens. Gene had a generous spirit and was a highly honorable individual. He was an example for his family, his friends, and his community- including his online Lords of the Dragon comrades. He is survived by his loving wife, Kimberlea; his father: Robert E.; his brothers: William "Billy" (Shelia), Kevin (Mary) Ostendorf , Tommy (Leisa) Nimerick; his son, Kenneth (Sabrina); his daughters, Kathryn & Jacklyn Sullivan; Grandsons: Adam & Parker; Granddaughter: Nalani. He leaves behind numerous beloved nieces and nephews and his extended family, the MoS of San Antonio, TX: Brittany Holmes, Shane Williams, Jeremy More, Jadon Lee, and etc. Preceded in death are his grandparents, Joseph and Mary Hamer; beloved mother, Judith A. Smitley; beloved son, Robert E. Smitley III; and his sister, Cheryl (Smitley) Nimrick. A celebration of Gene's life will be held on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 2:00-4:00 PM at the funeral home with Masonic Rites by Catlin Lodge at 1:30 PM. Entombment will take place at Sunset Memorial Park.

Visitation Sep 20, 2015 Sunday, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion Street Danville, IL 61834 Visitation Sep 21, 2015 Monday, 2:00 PM 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