Edwin R. Smith

E D WIN R. SMITH , 81 , of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 11:50 pm, Friday, January 7, 2022 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home, Chester, Illinois.

He was born to the late Renwick A. and Ella I. (nee Phegley) Smith on July 9, 1940 in Chester, Illinois.

After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1959-1962 in Germany. After returning home, he was employed by Illinois Department of Transportation, a private construction company, and finally by the Illinois Department of Corrections until his retirement in 2001.

Ed loved anything outdoors. Ed was an avid hunter of ducks, geese, pheasants, squirrels, rabbits and deer.

Until just a few years ago, Ed, walked many of fields in search of arrowheads, spear points, axes, hoes, pieces of pottery or an effigy. One of those fields resulted in a historic find of 10 Dalton points in a cache he discovered in 1976, which are now in the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Carving and painting duck decoys was one of his favorite pastimes and they were extremely popular locally as well as nationally. Ed was always excited at finding an auction that was selling Indian artifacts, coins, fishing plugs, and antique firearms.

Ed was a member of Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Chester, V.F.W. Post # 3553 in Chester, American Legion Post # 487 in Chester, the Eagles Club Aerie #3252 in Chester and a lifetime member of Disabled American Veteran. During his lifetime, he was also involved or had been a member of Duck Unlimited, International Ammunition Association, North American Trap Association, Audubon Society, National Rifle Association, Mississippi Valley Gun Club, National Fishing Lure Association, Genuine Indian Relics Association, Central States Archaeological Society, Midwest Decoy Collectors Association, Illinois Sheriff Association, Chester Boat Club and A.A.R.P.

Survivors:

1 Son:

Clinton (Jill) Smith Salt Lake City, UT

Special Friend:

Ruth Ann Welge Chester, IL

4 Siblings:

Barbara Gulick West Palm Beach, FL

Rita (Richard “Dick”) Heinze Creve Coeur, MO

Renwick “Butch” (Marty) Smith St. Charles, MO

Sr. Janet Smith, ASC Ruma, IL

3 Grandchildren:

Miren, Ethan & Griffin Smith

Several Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends

Preceded in Death by : Parents and 1 Brother-in-law – Phil Gulick

Funeral Service :

11:00 am, Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Officiating:

Msgr. Daniel J. Jurek

Interment :

St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery

Chester, Illinois

Visitation:

Wednesday – 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois

Memorials :

American Diabetes Association

St. Mary’s Catholic School, Chester, Illinois