Helen M. Smith, 79, of Vandalia, died on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, surrounded by her family at Hillsboro Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the Assalley Funeral Home, located at 118 E. College Ave. in Greenville. Funeral service will follow the visitation, with the Rev. Doug Wodtka, officiating. A private burial will be held, at a later date, in McInturff Cemetery, in Vandalia. The family has entrusted Assalley-Young Funeral Home in Greenville with the ceremonies.
Mrs. Smith was born April 7, 1944, in Decatur, the daughter of the late Russell Herbert and Doris Maxine (Anderson) Little. She married Robert Dean Smith, on June 3, 1961, in Vandalia. They were married for over 62 blessed years.
She moved with her family from Decatur to Vandalia at the age of 5 to live on a farm. She lived her formative years on the farm, before marrying Mr. Smith and starting their lives together. Mrs. Smith was a 1962 graduate of Vandalia High School, and was a housewife and a loving mother. After her children were grown, she worked as an elderly healthcare provider as well as a substitute postmaster at the Hagarstown post office for two years,before becoming the head postmaster of the Hagarstown post office for four years. She retired altogether in 2011. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and any family get-togethers.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband, Robert D. ‘Bob’ Smith of Vandalia; son, Jon W. (Andrea) Smith of Vandalia and daughter, Paula (Gary) Roach of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Danielle (Michael) Clark of Granite City, Amanda (Brad) King of Hillsboro and Austin (Taylor) Roach of Keyesport; great-grandchildren, Braidyn Uhlry, Izabella Uhlry and KehLahni Clark, all of Granite City, Taylor Uhlry of Altamont, Johanna and Ethan King, both of Hillsboro and soon to arrive, Easton Lee Roach of Keyesport; sister, Judy Kaiser of Vandalia; and beloved pets, Blackie and Rosie.
She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, Virginia and Voris Smith; brother, Jerry Little; sisters-in-law, Karen Little and Janet Smith; brothers-in-law, Charlie Kaiser and Mike Kopp; nephew, David Little; and niece, Nikki Smith.
The family asks that donations be made to McInturff Cemetery in lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts. Memorial contributions may be given at the funeral home or mailed to McInturff Cemetery, 451 E 1550 Ave., Vandalia, IL 62471.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.
