Joseph P Smothers

Joseph "Joe" Smothers of rural Carlyle died Monday, January 21, 2013 at his daughter’s home in Aviston at the age of 91 years. Joe was born in Logan, Illinois on January 13, 1922, the son of William Miles and Bertha Mae (Moore) Smothers. On May 30, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri he married Iva "Cleo" Webb and she preceded him in death on June 23, 1984.

Joe is survived by two daughters: Barbara Grawe and husband Tom of Breese, Illinois and Donna Ratermann and husband Dennis of Aviston; three sons: Robert Smothers and wife Chris of Aviston, Larry Smothers and wife Marie of Carlyle and Richard Smothers of Beckemeyer; two sisters: Lillian Willett and Anna Mae Wilson both of Logan, Illinois; three brothers: Larry Smothers and Jackie Dean Smothers and wife Thelma both of Taylorville, Illinois and Delmas "Del" Smothers of Greenfield, Indiana; 20 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren; a son-in-law: Jerry Thompson of Catoosa, Oklahoma; and a sister-in-law: Helen Smothers of Taylorville, Illinois. Special friends: Carolyn Lake, Julie Brooks and family, Cerese Smothers and family.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant son: Daniel Joseph Smothers; a daughter: Jacqueline Thompson; sisters and brothers-in-law: Alma and William McCormick, Lola and Ath McCormick and Mary Magdeline and William Leneave; brother: Everett "Dusty" Smothers; sisters-in-law: Edith Smothers and Faye Smothers; and brothers-in-law: Millard “Micky” Willett and Dan Wilson.

Joe was a retired auto worker and was a retired veteran, having served during World War II in the U.S. Army, 103rd Infantry Division. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Local 25 in St. Louis and served as an officer for 15 years. He served as the Lake Township Road Commissioner for 3 years. His family was his life. All the pleasures of being a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather kept him happy and lively for 91 years. He enjoyed the clubhouse and river, BBQs, fish fries, and watching sports with his family.

Funeral Services for Mr. Smothers will be Friday at 10:00 AM at the Frerker Funeral Home in Carlyle. The interment will follow at Carlyle Cemetery with military honors accorded.

Friend may visit with the Smothers family at the Frerker Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 to 8 P.M. or on Friday from 8:00 A.M. until the time of services.

Expressions of sympathy are suggested to Heartland Hospice, Carlyle Cemetery or to the charity of the donor’s choice and those will be received at the Frerker Funeral Home which is serving the family.