Jane M. Smith

Jane M. Smith, 86, of Belleair Bluffs, FL. formally of Savanna, IL. died on the evening of July 4, 2009, after losing battle with Cancer.A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 18, 2009 at Savanna Township Cemetery, Savanna, IL. Family & friends will gather at 11:00 am at House of Events, Savanna. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice in Jane’s name.Jane was born in 1923, in Savanna, the daughter of Lawrence and Ruth (Gillogly) Miller. She was united in marriage to Stewart Smith in Las Vegas, NV. He preceded her in death.Jane was the descendant of one of the original settlers of Savanna; she attended a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade. After graduating from Savanna High School in 1940, Jane went to work as an assistant to Dr. L.B. Hussey.She met her husband, Stu, during World War II. After the war, they married and traveled extensively around the United States before settling back in Savanna where her husband became co-owner and eventual owner of the local Ramble/Dodge car dealership. Jane and her sister-in-law, Reva Doty (Miller), bought and operated a small grocery store on Chicago Avenue for several years. After selling the Grocery, Jane ran the local Credit Bureau Office on Main Street before selling the business and going to work for The National Bank of Savanna in 1969.Jane remained an employee of the bank for many years working as a Teller, Loan Officer, Credit Supervisor and eventually Assistant Vice President. In addition to her banking duties, she handled public relations activities as a representative of the bank. She was also active in the Presbyterian Church.Jane was a civic leader in the true meaning of the work. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother as well as Treasurer of the Carroll County Heart Association for eight years, a member of the City Hospital Auxiliary, the "Taste of Savanna" Planning Committee, and the Savanna Main Street Project Committee as well as an original member of the Highland Community College District Strategic Planning Council. She was also honored as a life member of the Savanna Chamber of Commerce.Dedicated to the economic well being of Savanna, she was Chairman of the Camber of Commerce's Industrial/Economic Development Committee, Business Development Officer for the First Illinois Bank and a member of the Carroll Country Economic Development Group. She received the Savanna Rotary Club's first "Outstanding Achievement Award" for her efforts in Economic Development and Tourism promotion. In her spare time her hobbies were reading, genealogy and baking.Those left to honor her memory include her sons, Wayne (Kinnear), Clearwater, FL., Randy (Christine) Rock Island; her two grandchildren, Blake and Madison; her sister-in-law Reva Doty (Miller) of Savanna, IL. and many nieces& nephews. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, John Miller.