Mr. LaVern "Lee" Smith

Mr. LaVern “Lee” Smith, 87, of Marshalltown, Iowa, formerly of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 5:25 p.m. Sunday, January 13, 2019, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa.

He was born October 15, 1931, in St. Mary’s, Illinois, to Roland and Velma (Boyd) Smith. He married Patricia Ann Lamb in 1958.  She preceded him in death in 1970.  He later married Carolyn June Jepson in 1971.  She preceded him in death August 14, 2015. He was also proceeded in death by his parents.

Lee is survived by four children: three sons, Brian (and Deborah) Smith of Hanover Park, Illinois, Kent (and Diane) Smith of Coralville, Iowa, and Craig (and Laurie) Smith of Richmond, Virginia, and a daughter, Michelle Henry of Cheltenham, England; a brother, Russell Smith of Greater St. Louis, Missouri; and nine grandchildren.

Lee lived in Galesburg for nearly 40 years. He owned Smith Enterprises (Midas, Ziebart, Avis, U-Haul, and service stations) in Galesburg and retired in 2012. He enjoyed membership in several Galesburg business and philanthropic organizations. A long-standing member of Bethel Baptist Church, he was honored to service as a Deacon and in numerous other roles. He was also active in missionary work, making 15 journeys to the Ukraine. Lee graduated from Colchester High School, Colchester, Illinois. He entered the U.S. Navy and serviced honorably in Guam and Naples, Italy, as a Radio Man 3rd Class, responsible for Top Secret communications. Afterwards, he graduated from San Diego State University as an engineer, initially in the aerospace industry and then progressing to jobs of ever-increasing responsibility culminating as Plant Manager for Rowe Manufacturing in Galesburg, followed by opening Smith Enterprises.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2019, at Bethel Baptist Church, Galesburg, Illinois.  Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel and 9:00 to 10 a.m. Monday at the church.  Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 21, 2019, at St. Mary's Baptist Church Cemetery, Colmar, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, Bethel Baptist Church, Galesburg Rescue Mission or The Friends of the Ukraine.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. LaVern "Lee" Smith, please visit our floral store.