Bernard Smith

Bernard Turner Smith

"Buster"

Age 86 of Wilmington, passed away Wednesday November 22, 2006 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born November 5, 1920 in Little Rock, AR, Buster was a son of the late Watson and Cornelia (De Clerk) Smith. He was a veteran of the Merchant Marines and worked as a boilermaker for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad until moving to the Wilmington area in 1946. Buster then gained employment with E.J.&E. Railroad, from where he retired in 1976. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington and was greatly interested in physical fitness, as an avid runner.

Survivors include his loving sons: Fred Smith of Wilmington and David (Nena) Smith of Texas. His granddaughter Anna Smith of Florida and grandson Tyler Smith of Texas. One brother Lambert (Hanna) Smith of Arkansas and two sisters-in-law: Rubye Fairbend of Texas and Clema Sherman of Oregon, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Buster was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth, and son Doug.

Visitation will be held on Sunday November 26, 2006 between the hours of 4:00PM and 7:00PM and Monday November 27th from 9:00AM until time of funeral services 11:00AM at Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet Street (two blocks North of Illinois Route 53 / Baltimore Street) in Wilmington. Rev. David Lagos-Fonseca from the First United Methodist Church of Wilmington will officiate and burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Buster's memory to the First United Methodist Church of Wilmington, 401 East Kahler Road, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington.