Jeffrey D. Smith, Sr., 67, of Galesburg, died at 12:52 p.m. Saturday, January 23, 2021 at St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford.
Jeff was born July 20, 1953 in Galesburg, the son of Donald William and Joann (Clevenger) Smith. After graduating high school, Jeff attended nurses training at Carl Sandburg College. He found his calling working in the Emergency Room at Galesburg Cottage Hospital, where he touched many lives, for 35 years, retiring in 2012.
Jeff married Debbie L. Monzel on September 15, 2012 in Galesburg. She survives. Jeff is also survived by one son, Jeff “J.D.” (Tania) Smith, Jr., of Corning, IA; one daughter, Melissa (Andrew) Farris of Marshall, AR; and six grandchildren, Damon, Quinn, Cloe, Blaze, Cayden, and Braddock. Along with his parents, Jeff was preceded in death by one daughter, Tammy Lou Smith; two brothers, James David and Randy; and one sister, Tammy Smith.
Jeff was a member of Colonial Baptist Church, Galesburg. Jeff had a great love of music and enjoyed sharing it not only with his friends and family but also with his church on Sunday mornings. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking his 1985 Corvette to many different car shows. Jeff was a halloween enthusiast and enjoyed decorating his yard. Jeff enjoyed people, he never met a stranger and would often strike up conversations with those he barely knew.
Jeff and Debbie enjoyed taking many walks around Lake Storey, and was a wonderful loving husband, a caring father, and a great grandpa!
Visitation will be 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2021 at Colonial Baptist Church, Galesburg, with a funeral service following at 1:30 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, face masks, social distancing, and limited occupancy will be required. The funeral service may be viewed live at 1:30 p.m. at www.watsonthomas.com. Memorials may be made to the family. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
