Edwin R. Smith

A funeral will be held Wednesday, January 12, 2022 for 81-year-old Edwin R. Smith of Chester, Illinois, who passed away at 11:50 p.m., Friday, January 7, 2022 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home, Chester, Illinois.

 

He was born July 9, 1940 in Chester, the son of Renwick A. and Ella I. (nee Phegley ) Smith who both preceded him in death.

 

He is survived by a son: Clinton (Jill) Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah; a special friend: Ruth Ann Welge of Chester; four siblings: Barbara Gulick of West Palm Beach, Fla., Rita (Richard “Dick”) Heinze of Creve Coeur, Mo., Renwick “Butch” (Marty) Smith of St. Charles, Mo., and Sr. Janet Smith, ASC of Ruma, Ill; three grandchildren: Miren, Ethan and Griffin Smith and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

 

He was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law: Phil Gulick.

 

After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1959-1962 in Germany.

 

After returning home, he was employed by Illinois Department of Transportation, a private construction company, and finally by the Illinois Department of Corrections until his retirement in 2001.

 

Ed loved anything outdoors. Ed was an avid hunter of ducks, geese, pheasants, squirrels, rabbits and deer.

 

Until just a few years ago, Ed, walked many fields in search of arrowheads, spear points, axes, hoes, pieces of pottery or an effigy.

 

One of those fields resulted in a historic find of 10 Dalton points in a cache he discovered in 1976, which are now in the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville, Arkansas.

 

Carving and painting duck decoys was one of his favorite pastimes and they were extremely popular locally as well as nationally.

 

Ed was always excited at finding an auction that was selling Indian artifacts, coins, fishing plugs, and antique firearms.

 

Ed was a member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Chester, V.F.W. Post No. 3553 in Chester, American Legion Post No. 487 in Chester, the Eagles Club Aerie No. 3252 in Chester and a lifetime member of Disabled American Veteran.

 

During his lifetime, he was also involved or had been a member of Ducks Unlimited, International Ammunition Association, North American Trap Association, Audubon Society, National Rifle Association, Mississippi Valley Gun Club, National Fishing Lure Association, Genuine Indian Relics Association, Central States Archaeological Society, Midwest Decoy Collectors Association, Illinois Sheriff Association, Chester Boat Club and A.A.R.P.

 

Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Pechacek Funeral Home in Chester, Illinois.

 

A funeral for 81-year-old Edwin R. Smith of Chester will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Pechacek Funeral Home in Chester. Msgr. Daniel J. Jurek will officiate.

 

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Chester.

 

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to St. Mary’s Catholic School in Chester.


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