Elsie Jane Smith

Elsie Jane Smith, 89, of Oblong, IL, passed away on February 19, 2023, at Helia Healthcare in Olney. She was born on June 29, 1933, in Honey Creek Township in Crawford County, IL, the daughter of Henry & Kate (Hopper) McIntosh, both of whom preceded her in death. She married Duane "Leroy" Smith on November 7, 1988, and he preceded her in death on May 13, 2017. She was also preceded in death by her sons, Michael Garrard and Ronnie Garrard; by her siblings, William Albert McIntosh, Wilbur Leroy McIntosh, Alice Irene Frederick, Valeria Ellen Richardson, Henry Warren McIntosh, Benjamin Oscar McIntosh, Catherine Fern Vernia, Andrew Ray McIntosh, and John Allen McIntosh; and by her special nephew, Richard Vernia

She is survived by her sons & daughters-in-law, Larry & Jeanne Garrard (Oblong, IL) and Steve & Connie Ames (Oblong, IL); by her grandchildren, Stephanie, Cathy, Rhonda, and Jane; by eight great-grandchildren; and by several great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, including her special nephews, Robert Vernia and George Vernia.

Elsie grew up on her family's homestead in rural Crawford County, where she was embedded with a tireless work ethic that would serve her well throughout her life. As a young woman, she worked at a restaurant in Palestine and cleaned houses for a time, but the majority of her career found her at Crawford Electronics and Victor Dana before she retired in 1996. Even after retiring, she refused to let dust settle and worked as a caregiver for numerous area residents in need. Much of her free time was spent out in God's creation. She appreciated the thrill of hunting and also knew that certain kind of peace that only comes with a rod and reel in hand. That being said, the peace with which Elsie lived was but the overflow of a life spent with her Heavenly Father. Her church family at the Oblong First Baptist Church would bear witness to this. They, as well as her beloved friends and family, look forward to the day when, by the grace of God, we see her again!

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22nd, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson, with Pastor Justin Sweitzer officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to her memorial fund, with checks made payable to "Goodwine Funeral Homes". Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.