Monroe Earl Smith III, “Bud”, 54, of Marengo, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020 with family by his side at Journey Care Hospice in Barrington, IL of complications from pneumonia, cancer and a stroke.
He was born to Monroe E. Smith Jr. and Joyce (Hall) Smith on July 19, 1966 in Belvidere, IL. He lived most of his life in the Marengo-Union area as well as Island Lake. He attended Riley School, Evergreen Park School(Union)and Marengo High School. He was a skilled laborer and worked in construction. He was always willing to help his friends and family with any task. He was engaged to his beloved fiancé Lynn Benson and remained by her side until her death in 2015.
Bud enjoyed fishing in Wisconsin and Illinois with his late father, brother, brother-in-law, nephews, cousins, and friends whenever he had the opportunity. He loved spending time on any lake, especially with Lynn on Island Lake. On game days you could be sure he was watching the Bears, Cubs, or Blackhawks decked out in the teams’ apparel. Bud was always ready for a game of pinochle. He loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own and was always ready with a big hug. He cherished his dog Payton and cats Franny and Earl. Always quick with a one-liner or dirty joke he loved to laugh and make others laugh as well. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his sister, Stacey (Jim) Hare Jr. of Marengo, IL; brother, Nicklas Smith Sr. of Racine, WI; his nephews and nieces, Benjamin (Sarah) Hare Sr. of Carol Stream, IL, Lizabeth (Marco Sr.) Hernandez of Decatur, IL, Anastasia Hare (Carmen Sacco) of Marengo, IL, James Hare III of Marengo, IL, and Nicklas Smith Jr. of Olympia, WA.; great nieces and nephews, Connor, Nora, Avelyn, JR, MJ, and Porter; and many dear extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his fiancée, Lynn Benson; his parents, Monroe Jr. and Joyce (Hall) Smith; his in-laws to have been John E. and Carolyn (Liegeler) Benson; his sister-in-law, Ashley (Strauss) Smith; his grandparents, Monroe Sr. and Inez (Funderburk) Smith and Albert and Anna (Legler) Hall.
Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital Intensive Care Unit and Journey Care Hospice of Barrington, IL.
A celebration of life/memorial service for Bud will be held on Saturday October 23, 2021, 12:00p - 4:30p at Siems Park 16351-16899 Highbridge Rd, Union, IL.
We will be providing meat, we would very much appreciate a dish to pass be brought by all.(It will be potluck! Be advised there are no electrical outlets.) There will be water provided. All other drinks are BYOB.
If you have a story or stories or some words you would like to speak come prepared and you will be given the opportunity.Please bring chairs and anything else that you might need to keep yourself comfortable. We look forward to seeing everyone!
Dress is whatever is comfortable to you and if you have Chicago Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks or Bulls attire all the better!
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation at www.donate.bbrfoundation.org, the Oral Cancer Foundation www.oralcancerfoundation.donordrive.com, or to JourneyCare Hospice at www.journeycare.org.
Arrangements entrusted to Marengo-Union Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.marengo-unionfuneralhome.com.
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