Funeral services will be held at 4PM, Tuesday, November 13, 2018 in the Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Monday, November 12, 2018 at the mortuary. Cremation rites will be accorded after services. Memorials may be made to the family.
Robert was born on December 5, 1937 in Peoria, the son of Lester and Mildred (Jones) Smith. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Searle on December 21, 1957. Robert enjoyed word search puzzles, fishing, hunting, and racing, from driving on the dirt track to watching local races and NASCAR. Robert renewed his faith July 18, 2018 and had been a church bus driver for many years at Westside Assembly of God.
Robert was an avid Hawkeye and Cubs fan. Above all he loved spending time with his family and was known as a great neighborhood dad.
Those left to honor his memory include wife of 61 years, Elizabeth; children: Margarette Wulgaert, Lester (Julie) Smith, Candy Smith, Robert Smith, Millie (Steve) VanRycke, Donnie Smith, Alma (Bubba) Eder, Bonnie (Shane) Hutchison, #9 Mary (Jeff) Stigers; 56 grandchildren; 65 great grandchildren; siblings, Beverly Eddy, Betty Aberle and Bonnie Bryant; sisters-in-law and brother-in law, Darrell (Debbie) Searle and Teresa Searle; and several adoptive kids from the neighborhood.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bill Smith, and granddaughter, Melissa Sue Hutchison.