Smith, James W.

Smith JamesJames W. Smith, age 64, of Gilson, Illinois died at 8:36 A.M. Saturday, May 9, 2015 at his home. 

James was born on February 23, 1951 in Versailles, Illinois, the son of J. Oliver and Mary Louise McNeff Smith.  He graduated in 1969 from Knoxville High School.  James married Connie Hennenfent October 19, 1984 in Wataga, Illinois.

James was an operating engineer and a member of Local 649, Peoria, Illinois, retiring in 2011.  He was also the Orange Township Road Commissioner.  James was a former member of the Knoxville Jaycees, Illinois Tractor Pulling Association, and Knox County Fair Superintendent.  His hobbies included fishing, hunting, watching NASCAR, the Green Bay Packers, and listening to Blue Grass music.

James is survived by his wife, Connie Smith of Gilson; his children, Josh J. Smith of Knoxville, Illinois, Jeremy D. ( Jeanne) Godfrey of Dallas, Texas and Karri L. (Chris Luttrell) Trader of Morris Illinois.  Also surviving are five grandchildren, Emily Trader, Rachel Trader, Benjamin Nguyen, Gavin Smith and Nathan Godfrey. One sister also survives, Carol Jean (Gale) Trulson of Gilson, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Wanda Caves.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at the Hurd Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois.  Interment will be in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Galesburg, Illinois. A fellowship will be held at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home Fellowship Center. Memorials may be made to the Engineers Scholarship Fund, Knox County Nursing Home or the American Heart Association.  On-line condolences and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurdhendricksfuneralhome.com.

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