Deepest Sympathy to Carol and family. Enjoyed sharing our time with you both at Freeburg State Baseball.
Jerry D. Smith

Jerry D. Smith, 85, of New Athens, IL, born March 21, 1937, in Belleville, IL, passed away on Thursday February 23, 2023, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. MO. He retired from Peabody Coal after 32 years. Jerry enjoyed flying, fishing, hunting and trapshooting. He loved his family dearly and was proud of all their accomplishments. He went to many sport events involving his kids, grand and great grandkids but he never knew a referee or umpire that wasn’t blind! His favorite food was chocolate and more chocolate. Some old friends called him “Leroy” – inside joke! Jerry will be missed by family, friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents – Arlie and Dorothy (Doak) Smith, a daughter – Kathy A. Berry, two brothers – Raymond Smith (in infancy) and Daniel M. Smith and sister – Arlene (Ralph) Dykes.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 67 years – the former Carol J. Triefenbach, whom he married on July 23, 1955, in Darmstadt, IL, children – Kevin (Brenda) Smith of Columbia, IL and Kelli (Gerald) Walkington of Shiloh, IL, siblings – Edward (Mae) Smith of Belleville, IL, Katie (Noal) Sinn of Stillwater, OK, John (Linda) Smith of Ava, IL, Dennis Smith of Morganfield, KY and sister-in-law – Suzie Smith of Evansville, IN, grandchildren – Jason (Ty) Smith of Belleville, IL, Kristin (Steve) Bielke of New Athens, IL, Danielle (Mick) McCahill of Dorsey, IL, Kaitlin Berry and Kevin Berry, both of Dallas, TX, Sara (Chris) Ruiz, of Austin, TX, Sydney Jenkins of Dallas, TX, Ryan Walkington of Caseyville, IL and Adam Walkington of O’Fallon, IL, great grandchildren – Ethan and Aubrie Smith, Isaiah and Mason Page, Cameron and Payton Bielke and Maizy McCahill and by many nieces and nephews He will be missed by special friends – Wendy and Steve Berry of Wimberly, TX and Lu and Josef Wyrwal of New Braunfels, TX.
Memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or to BJC Hospice.
In keeping with Jerry’s wishes, cremation is to take place.
Visitation: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday March 18, 2023, at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL.
Memorial Service: 12 p.m. on Saturday March 18, 2023, at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL with Rev. Dr. Robert Koch officiating.
Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL is in charge of arrangements.
14 Comments
-
Diane Weilmuenster on 02/26/2023 at 6:09 pm
-
Carol on 03/01/2023 at 4:04 pm
Thanks Diane. It was a great season !
Reply
-
-
Robert Kearns on 02/26/2023 at 7:28 pm
Deepest condolences to Carol and family. Jerry was always fun to talk with. He will be missed.
Reply
Rest in peace my friend. -
Cathy Sinn Flowers on 02/26/2023 at 11:21 pm
Carol, Kevin, and Kelli, I am so sorry about the passing of your husband/father. May he Rest In Peace, and may you be consoled by happy memories of him.
Reply-
Carol on 03/01/2023 at 3:59 pm
Thank you for caring.
Reply
-
-
Bruce Lischer on 02/27/2023 at 8:32 am
My condolences to the Smith family. Jerry was great guy, always enjoyed talking to him at the ballgames.
Reply -
Belinda and Clayton Kennedy on 03/09/2023 at 2:48 pm
It was sad to hear of Jerry’s passing. When we were neighbors, Jerry used to always have a treat in his top pocket for our beloved, and now deceased dog, Reina. It is comforting to think that these two are re-united. Reina probably greeted Jerry at the pearly gates – her tail a-wagging.
Reply -
Marty & Lin Walkington on 03/11/2023 at 10:58 am
Uncle Lin remembers Jerry as a great guy and fondly remembers the visits he had with him from time to time. Our sympathy to the family. We plan to be at his service on March 18.
Reply
Submit a Comment Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Uncle Lin remembers Jerry as a great guy and fondly remembers the visits he had with him from time to time. Our sympathy to the family. We plan to be at his service on March 18.
It was sad to hear of Jerry’s passing. When we were neighbors, Jerry used to always have a treat in his top pocket for our beloved, and now deceased dog, Reina. It is comforting to think that these two are re-united. Reina probably greeted Jerry at the pearly gates – her tail a-wagging.
My condolences to the Smith family. Jerry was great guy, always enjoyed talking to him at the ballgames.
Thanks Bruce. Jerry enjoyed those ballgames.
Our deepest sympathies for you all. What a great man he was.
Cherish all the good times you had with him.
Peace and love
Rick,Christy, and
the Range kids
Carrol sorry to hear about Jerry. I will always remember the Supper Club crowd that came to the house and all the fun you always had. Prayers for all
Thanks Range Family!
Carol, Kevin, and Kelli, I am so sorry about the passing of your husband/father. May he Rest In Peace, and may you be consoled by happy memories of him.
Thank you for caring.
Deepest condolences to Carol and family. Jerry was always fun to talk with. He will be missed.
Rest in peace my friend.
Thanks Bob and Donna. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Carol and family, We send our condolences to you and all your family. We ask God’s comfort for you. Charlie and Sandy Raban and Virginia Coulson
Deepest Sympathy to Carol and family. Enjoyed sharing our time with you both at Freeburg State Baseball.
Thanks Diane. It was a great season !