Charles “Chuck” Smith, Jr., 84-years-old, passed away on June 26, 2025, and is now with his parents, Charles W. and Florence A. (McLain) Smith, Sr. and also with his wonderful in-laws, Dorothy and Earl Miller who also preceded him in death. He leaves behind his wife, Sandra S. (Miller) Smith, who he shared 62 wonderful years after being married on August 19, 1962 in Decatur, IL.
He is survived by his two sons and their spouses, Marc W. and Loni Smith of Carlyle, IL and Daron L. Smith and Chris Finley of St. Louis, MO. He also sadly leaves two very lovely granddaughters, Breanna N. Smith of Aviston, IL and Brooklynn N. Smith of Carlyle, IL, great granddaughter, Ellianna Jo Herzig, along with his two brothers, Phil Smith and his wife, Marcia, of Tucson, AZ, Larry Smith and his wife, Linda, of Springfield, IL and his sister-in-law, Carol Wydick of Forsyth, IL. Also he will sadly miss two very extra special friends, Marsha Leckrone of Decatur, IL and Mary Kay Jung, of St. Louis, MO.
Charles graduated in 1958 with the first class from Eisenhower High School and that fall attended the University of Illinois. Charles transferred to Millikin University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree and then he earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration at Eastern Illinois University.
Charles worked as a civic centers director in Mt. Pulaski and Sullivan, IL. He taught Drivers Education for several years in Morrisonville, IL and then transferred to become Assistant Principal at Waterloo, IL High School. For six years Charles was Principal for Macon High School but he later moved to become a Junior High Social Studies teacher until the school district consolidated to become Meridian School District. He retired in 2004 after teaching for 38 years.
Charles was a member of several Masonic Organizations for more than fifty years. He was also an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and he trained several students on how to teach others how to swim.
Masonic services followed by graveside services will be 10 AM Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Clinton, IL with Pastor Darrell Howard officiating. The family entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to the American Red Cross or Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
