Harold Dean Smith, 77 of Abingdon, passed away at 10:19 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
He was born December 2, 1939 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, the son of Claude and Demma Gifford Smith. He married Alice M. Lewis on July 15, 1961 in Abingdon.
Harold is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Alice; his children, Steve and Donna Lynn Beacom-Smith of Galesburg, Cindy and Robb Downard of Berwick, Sally and William Anderson of Jackson, Tennessee, Melody and Robert Karr of Abingdon, Dawn Renee’ Smith (deceased), Danny and Patty Smith of Galesburg, Joe and Joyce Smith of Galesburg, and Mandy and Nick Reading of Galesburg; 27 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Delbert L. and Alice Williamson Smith of Abingdon and Rev. Marty T. and Rita Smith of Abingdon; two sisters, Sharon and Norman Fauber of Spring Bay and Mary M. and Don Cunningham of Galesburg; and several nieces and nephews and their families.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, one sister Charlotte Mears and three brothers, Carroll Smith, Gerald Smith and William “Bill” Smith.
Harold had lived in Abingdon most of his life and attended Abingdon Schools. He was an Air Force veteran. He worked at the Abingdon Pottery, Hoffman Seed Company in Yates City painted houses, had a carpet cleaning business, last worked in security at Cottage Hospital and delivered for the Galesburg Register Mail before his health began to fail. He was a “Jack of all trades”. He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Galesburg and was a witness of the Lord. He donated to several charities and he loved to take rides in the country with his family to see all of God’s beauty.
Cremation will be accorded. To celebrate his life, a graveside service with military rites will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the Abingdon Cemetery. Absalom Lewis and Willie Mabon will officiate. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
