Todd Alan Smith

PEKIN ~ Todd Alan Smith, 54, of Trenton, North Carolina, passed away at 10:57 p.m. Friday, January 7, 2022 at Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was formerly of Pekin, Illinois.

Born June 11, 1967 in Pekin to James “Jim” R. and Rebecca “Becky” K. (Goeken) Smith, he married Brianna J. VonBehren on December 26, 2009 in Mapleton.

Todd is survived by his wife and five children, Alisha VanderLoop and Ryan (Ashley) Smith, both of Bonduel, Wisconsin and Gracelyn, Kayley and Evelyn Smith, all of Trenton, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Ella, Hadleigh, Hazel, Allen and Rowan; his parents of Pekin and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Eric Smith.

Todd joined the Marine Corps in 1985 and retired as a Gunnery Sergeant in 2005 after 20 years of honorable and faithful service. He served as an Engineer Equipment Operator and was promoted to Engineer Equipment Chief. He also spent several years instructing new Marines on the proper operations of Engineer Equipment and horizontal construction. Todd loved working with young Marines, was dedicated to the development of all those in his charge and pushed them to exceed all expectations.

Upon retirement from active duty, Todd continued to work with young Marines as a government civilian for Marine Depot Maintenance Command (Fwd), Camp Lejeune, NC supervising the Tactical Tire Exchange Facility, Battery Reclamation Facility and a Left Behind Equipment maintenance shop for 13 years before fully retiring in 2020.

A loving son, husband, dad, grandpa and devoted Marine, Todd enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and cooking. He loved his family, friends, dogs and taking spontaneous trips around North Carolina. Many were fortunate to enjoy listening the detailed storytelling of his life experiences and countless movie quotes.

Todd attended Chinquapin Chapel Baptist Church in Trenton, North Carolina.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Karl Eckhoff will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin. Military rites will be provided by the United States Marine Corps and Tazewell Military Rites Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to a college savings plan set up through Go Fund Me for his three young daughters at https://gofund.me/019b535e or Disabled American Veterans.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com