Valdora "Jean" Smithson

She was born on Aug. 2, 1938, in Peoria, Ill., to Russel Wayne and Alice M. (Brooks) Robbins, and was raised by her foster parents, Willis and Charlotte Hasler. She married Eldon H. Smithson on Jan. 19, 1957, in Peoria. He preceded her in death in 1994.

Her parents; her foster parents; two infant children, Eldon and Deborah; four brothers, Everett and Kenny Brooks, Gary and Darrel Hasler; and one sister, Erma Wernsman; also preceded her in death.

Surviving are two children, Steven (Sara) Smithson of East Peoria and Detra (Raymond) Cotton of Heyworth; eight grandchildren, Justin, Jessica, Clinton, Matthew, Anna, Steven, Mary and Wyatt; and four siblings, Sandy (Richard) Hammer of Washington, Dale (Diana) Hasler of East Peoria, Carl (Nicole) Hasler of Morton and Russel Wayne Brooks Jr.

Jean was a 1956 graduate of Peoria High School and worked as a checker and in customer service with Homeland in Stillwater, Okla., and then with Kroger in Morton until retiring in 2000.

She enjoyed baking cakes and pies, spending time with her grandchildren, and had a very large angel collection.

A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, at Remmert Funeral Home, with a funeral service at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, at the funeral home. The Rev. Kenneth Martin will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

Tributes and condolences may be left at www.remmertfuneralhome.com.