C. Lee Smithey

C. Lee Smithey, 74, of Springfield, passed away at 4:05 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2019, at Kindred Long Term Acute Care Hospital, Peoria. Lee had been ill since August 12th following his second open-heart surgery at The University of Chicago Medical Center. Sadly, he caught pneumonia and was not able to recover.

He was born on January 10, 1945, to Chester H. and Brooksie (Keller) Smithey in Cape Girardeau, MO. He married Kathleen L. Lee on July 10, 1976 at Christ the King in Springfield.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law, Dennis A. Lee; and his nephew, Sam Phillips.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; two sisters, Doris (husband, Robert) Phillips, Denver, CO and Judith (husband, Richard) Welker of Cape Girardeau, MO; one sister-in-law, Louise Lee of New Berlin; and many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

Lee earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeast Missouri State University and completed all Ph.D. course work at Southern Illinois University after 34 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He retired in 2001 as Superintendent of Schools in Burbank, IL. Lee loved interacting with people, and he did this daily at Subway while he read many national newspapers. His other hobbies included exercising at Prairie Heart Rehab Center and sharing with his beloved Fantasy Baseball group.

Lee was a faithful Christian and attended Hope Evangelical Free Church in Springfield. He enjoyed starting each morning by reading the local newspaper, and he served many charities over the years. In later years, he served on the board of Hope Living Counseling Center and was a long-time volunteer G.E.D. instructor at the Salvation Army.

Lee’s life work was education; therefore, his body has been donated to The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine for the Advancement of Science and Education. His cremated remains have now been returned for burial.

Graveside Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2019, at Calvary Cemetery in Pawnee with Rev. Brian Mills officiating.

Memorials in Lee’s name may be made to Animal Protection League, 1001 Taintor Rd., Springfield, IL 62702 or Living Hope Counseling Center, 3000 Lenhart Rd., Springfield, IL 62711.

The family of C. Lee Smithey is being served by Butler Funeral Home—Springfield, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield.