Charles "Charlie" E. Smith

EAST PEORIA- Charles “Charlie” E. Smith, 86, of LaSalle, formerly of East Peoria, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 9:04 P.M. at LaSalle Veterans’ Home. Charlie was born on October 29, 1929 in Gary, IN to William and Mary Barnewalt Smith. He married Bernadine Ann Flanagan on August 4, 1951 in Peoria. She preceded him in death on October 13, 2013. Surviving are his children, Kathy (Greg) Hendrickson of Lindenhurst and Scott (Dianne) Smith of Pekin; 3 grandchildren, Courtney (Mike) Cornick of Boca Raton, FL, Melissa (Larry) Youngberg of Lima, OH and Becky (Randy) Beavers of Soddy Daisy, TN; five great-grandchildren, Sydney and Audrey Youngberg, Elena Cornick, & Ben and Ian Tull; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Bernadine. Charlie proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1951-1953. He was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He worked for Caterpillar on Pioneer Parkway in Peoria for 25 years in the exhibits and shows warehouse. Following his retirement from Caterpillar in 1998, he volunteered his time with the American Red Cross. He was a member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church in East Peoria and the Monsignor E.L. Grzybowski Council 7580 of the Knights of Columbus. Charlie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and following his favorite sports teams, the Chicago Cubs and Bears. He established and organized The Breakfast Club, a gathering for his fellow Caterpillar retirees that would often meet at Bob Evans in East Peoria. Above all else, Charlie loved and cherished his family and the time he was able to spend with them. He will be dearly missed. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the LaSalle Veterans’ Home for the excellent care Charlie received during his time there. A funeral service for Charlie will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 12:00 noon at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in East Peoria. Fr. Julius Turyatoranwa will officiate. There will be a visitation an hour prior to the service, from 11:00 A.M.- 12:00 P.M. Interment will be at Fondulac Township Cemetery in East Peoria.

Charles "Charlie" E. Smith

October 29, 1929 - March 13, 2016