Maurice "Jim" W. Smith

Maurice “Jim” W. Smith, age 82, of Savanna, Illinois, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna, Illinois. In accordance with his wishes, Cremation Rites have been accorded prior to the service. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, with Pastor Bob Stark of First Lutheran Church, Mt. Carroll officiating. Burial with Military Rites will take place in Savanna Township Cemetery, Savanna. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Paco’s Rescue Tails in Mt. Carroll (815) 244-9705. Family and friends are invited to share in Jim’s life at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com .

Jim was born on September 13, 1935, the son of Freddie and Orie (Webber) Smith in Peabody, Massachusetts. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army. Jim married Lorraine Zink and later married Darlene (affectionately called, “Doll”) Luy on May 6, 1989 in Clinton, Iowa.

Jim worked for Interstate Power in Savanna and later for Alliant Energy in Clinton, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the Savanna Moose Lodge for forty-six years, and the Rock Falls American Legion for forty-four years. Jim worked as a handy man on the Bull Farm for many years, until “Doll” decided he had worked enough. With that being said, their traveling adventure began. They enjoyed numerous trips throughout the United States, including Hawaii and crossing into Canada and Mexico. Many vacations were taken with other family, including a trip to Las Vegas with Karen, and fishing trips to Canada with other family. Some of their highlighted trips include traveling six weeks in their motorhome to Alaska and making it to Santa’s Village, North Pole, and then stopping to visit Sherry in Oregon. Twice they traveled abroad to Europe, where Diane was their tour guide throughout Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. They also went on a Caribbean Cruise. Jim also loved taking Darlene out dancing. Jim was meticulous about his yard, but at the end of the day, you would find him drinking Old Milwaukee with his neighbor and friend, Jason Truninger. Jim also enjoyed creating wooden crafts in his workshop. He was known for giving away his wooden snowmen, which can still be seen displayed in local businesses at Christmas time. Jim loved the outdoors, especially ice fishing, boating, and hunting. In the spring, there was always an abundance of Morel Mushrooms to be fried up. He was also an avid bowler. Jim grew up in a large family of twelve siblings. They all remained very close, having quarterly get togethers to recognize birthdays. Jim and Darlene hosted annual garage parties, where you can still find all the signatures from everyone who attended on the walls. Most of all, Jim was a loving and caring father and grandfather. He was always there with tools in hand to fix anything the kids needed.

Jim will be dearly missed by his wife, Darlene; two daughters, Sherry Kok-Weltman and Karen (Kent) Zuidema, both of Morrison, Illinois; stepson, David Luy of Lanark, Illinois; a stepdaughter, Diane (Milo) Reed of Savanna, Illinois; two granddaughters, Angela (Jerit) Gendreau and Laura Zuidema; three grandsons, Christopher Holder and Damen and Marcus Luy; three great grandchildren, Olivia, Scarlet and Maxwell Gendreau; two brothers, Van Smith of Freeport, Illinois, and Richard Smith of Pella, Iowa; and three sisters, Alma Mae (Donald) Wiltfang of South Carolina, Betty (Jim) Allen of Yorkville, Illinois, and Delores (Marvin) Hougus of Marseilles, Illinois;

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Orie; five brothers, Freddie Dale Smith, Lawrence Smith, Robert Smith, Fred Smith, and Arnold Smith; three sisters, Janice Rogers, Wilma Wolfley, and Mary Johnson; and one son in-law, Norman Weltman.

Due to severe allergies the family requests that everyone refrain from wearing cologne or perfume to the services.