CENTRALIA — Jim L. “Jungle” Smith, 83, of Centralia, passed away Friday, September 30, 2022, at his home.
He was born April 5, 1939, in Centralia, the son of Ernest E. Smith and Grace (Timmons) Smith. He married Shirley (Snider) Smith, in September 1957, they were married 42 years before they divorced, but have remained close throughout the years.
Jim is also survived by his three children: one son, Jimmie Smith (Terri) of Centralia, and two daughters, Dee Dee Peper (Ken) of Nashville, Il, Terri Smith of Centralia, and Joy “JoJo” Barnhart of Centralia, who was very close like a daughter; five grandchildren: Jami Lane (Jon), Jesse Smith (Jessica), Bailey Vardsveen ( John), Quenci Peper, and Lexi Peper and fiance Aaron Leggett; nine Great- Grandchildren: Josh, Tristan, Max, Avalyn, Jacelynn, Jayden, Jaxyn, Memphis and Holt; two sisters: Delores Miller and Beatrice Owens (Gene); three brothers: Jack Smith (Barbara), Donnie Smith, and Gary Smith (Mary); sister in law: Karen Robbins; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Grace Smith, great-granddaughter: Sierra Wilder, sister: Judy Hopper, brother: Richard “Turkey” Smith, brother-in-law: Darrell ” Jerry ” Miller, and nephew: Tommy Miller.
Jim graduated from the one-room Willow Grove School on Brookside and then went in to join the Air Force and served his country from April 23, 1956, until March 23, 1960.
He started Smith Brothers Concrete with his brother Jack in 1968 and he still owned and operated the business until August of 2022, Jim and Jack bought Centralia Ready Mix in 1978 and later sold the business. Jim was a concrete finisher his whole life and gave his time and services to many people throughout the years, he was on the school board at Willow Grove for years, was a member of the Demaree United Methodist Church (Cornerstone) and was a board member of the church for years. He was an avid softball player and also loved to ride motorcycles. Jim loved his family and was a very caring and giving man.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2022, at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Mike Sutherland officiating. Military Honors will be accorded at the funeral home by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and Centralia VFW Post 2055.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2022, at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held at a later date at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia with Roger Russell officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sierra Wilder Memorial Park Fund and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois, 62801, 618-532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Smith Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page.