T. Edwin Smith

Funeral Services for T. Edwin Smith, 88 of Viola, will be Saturday at 10:00 AM at Speer Funeral Home. Burial will be in Aledo Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 4 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Viola United Methodist Church. Edwin died Thursday, December 25, 2008 at the Mercer County Hospital. Thomas Edwin Smith was born on July 29, 1920 in Greene Township, Mercer County, Illinois to Lawrence & Susanna (Leinbach) Smith. He married Eula Jean Robbins on November 5, 1944 in Viola, Illinois. Edwin and Eula Jean farmed their entire married life in the Greene Township Area. She preceded him in death on May 7, 2006. Edwin was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp, having served during World War II. He was a member of the Viola American Legion, of which he served as chaplain. Edwin was a lifetime member of the Viola United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Mercer County Farm Bureau and the Viola Masonic Lodge #577 A.F. & A.M. Edwin is survived by his four children and their spouses: Elsa & Richard Anderson of Andover, MN; LaVerne & Kathy Smith of Surprise, AZ; Duane & Karen Smith of Robins, IA and Lelan and Paula Smith of Viola ; a brother and sister-in-law: Eugene & Wanda Smith of New Boston; two sisters, Lillian Smith of Kewanee and June McMillen of Normal;10 grandchildren: Angie Rafferty, Dack & Sarah Anderson, Scott & Susan Smith, Micki Smith, Brian & Becky Smith, Kimberly & Joe Oliver, Nicholas, Lucas, Monte and Kolby Smith; 6 great-grandchildren: Andrew, Alexa, Annelia, Hannah, Abby and Trenton. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eula Jean and a granddaughter, Cassandra Smith.