Obituary of Jerry L. Smith
Jerry L. Smith, age 71, of Channahon, IL, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2021, at Amita St. Joseph Medical, Joliet, IL.
Jerry graduated from Rapid City High School in South Dakota in 1967. His love of athletics led to his becoming a three-year letterman in both track and football, but his true love was baseball. He began playing in Rapid City Little Leagues and Pony Leagues advancing all the way to Rapid City American Legion Post 22 team during his high school years. In 2007, Jerry was inducted into the Rapid City Post 22 Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jerry went on to attend Southern Illinois University where he continued to play baseball. Several of those SIU teams advanced to the College World Series. He graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.
His professional career included many successful years in corporate chemical sales. After retiring, he became more involved at Joliet Moose Lodge #300, where he was and active Moose and Legion member for over 30 years. He was also a member of the Oldtimers’ Baseball Association and an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #41.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marty Summers Smith; his three sisters, Dawn (Steven) Kellogg, Nanette Smith, and Susan (Clyde) Gorsuch; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Roberta Smith, and brother, Kevin who passed in infancy.
A memorial visitation will be Monday, March 1, 10:00-11:30 a.m. and conclude with the ritual “Loyal Order of the Moose Service of Tribute” at 11:30 a.m. at the Joliet Moose Lodge #300, 25 Springfield, Ave., Joliet, IL 60435.
Jerry will be taken back to the Black Hills of South Dakota where a family memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jerry’s memory may be made to Mooseheart Charities, Inc. (www.moosecharities.org) or to SIU Baseball Foundation (www.siuf.org).
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home. For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
