CENTRALIA — Donnie”Don” R. Smith, 87, of Centralia, passed away, Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri surrounded by family.
He was born July 19, 1935, in Gladewater, Texas, the son of Perry Smith and Marjoria (Maurer) Smith. He married Kathryn “Kathy” Bowen, and she survives in Centralia. Don and Kathy have shared their life together for 67 years.
In addition to his wife, Kathy Smith of Centralia, he is also survived by his son: Mark F. Smith and wife Cindy of Centralia; daughter-in-law: Beth Kenny of Denver, Colorado; five grandchildren: Tyler Smith of Trenton, Jaclyn Smith and Hannah Holt of Springfield, Mandy Albers and Trevor of Centralia, Henry Smith of Denver, Colorado, and Eleanor Smith and Steven Price of Denver, Colorado; a sister: Netje L. Woolbright and husband Charles of Centralia; two brothers: John Spears and wife Barb of Odin and Allen Spears and wife Margaret of Centralia; several nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his son: Michael D. Smith, and his sister: Lavenia Chivario.
Don was a graduate of Centralia High School Class of 1953; he started 3 years of varsity football for A.L. Trout. During his sophomore year, Coach Trout announced that Don and Jimmie Evers were the two best passers he had coached.
In the summers between his high school years, he played shortstop in the Washington County Baseball League. In 1953-1954, Don was the sixth man on Art Allen’s Centralia Junior College basketball team that placed 10th in the nation. He also played on the first CJC baseball team batting over .400, while pitching and playing shortstop.
From 1954 through 1956, Don served in the Army (82nd Airborne Div.). During his service, he was the leading receiver on the football team. He was the only player on the team not to have played college football. After serving in the Army, he played on the Centralia Merchants fast pitch softball team that placed second in the state tournament in Bloomington.
Don graduated from Eastern Illinois University, and he returned to Centralia High School in 1961. For 33 years, he would coach everything but golf and tennis. In 1967, he became only the 3rd head football coach at CHS following Trout and Evers. Through 1979, he compiled a record of 71-47-4. His 1969 team known as the “Wild Bunch” was undefeated (9-0) and ranked tenth in the nation by one magazine. He returned as head football coach in 1989 and had a record of 10-17 over three seasons.
After retiring from Centralia High School, he coached the women’s basketball team at Kaskaskia College from 1995 to 2001.
Don was a member of the Centralia Elks Lodge 493. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Centralia. Don was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family.
Per Don’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded, and a graveside service will be held at 2 p.m.Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia with Dr. Clara Voss officiating. Military Honors will be accorded at the gravesite by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at Fairways at Greenview Golf Course. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wild Bunch 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 Don’s family.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page.