Benjamin Franklin Smith, II

Benjamin “Ben” F. Smith II, age 64, of Belle, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020 at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City.

He was born June 15, 1956, in Galesburg, Il, a son to the late Benjamin Franklin Smith, Sr. and Sylvia (Longcor) Smith.  

Ben graduated from Peoria High School and received his associate’s degree in Diesel Mechanics from Spoon River College in Illinois.

On May 25, 1991, he was united in marriage to Patricia Brown in Canton, Il. Patty survives of their home near Belle.

Ben liked to work hard and stay busy. Besides being a Diesel Mechanic, he was a over the road truck driver for multiple companies, a fireman and EMT in Illinois, and a race truck driver. He had been employed for Butler Manufacturing in Galesburg, Il as well but his favorite job was working on the dairy farm with his aunt and uncle who raised him. Jim and Darlene Danz. They preceded him in death.

He was a member of the Bland First Christian Church and was strong in his faith. He read his bible every day and lived a Christian life, helping out others who were in need. Always doing for others before himself. Ben enjoyed fishing and doing carpentry work. He loved spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   

In addition to his wife, Ben is survived by: four daughters, Joellen Foust and her husband George of Banner, Il, Tammy Smith and her fiancé Andy Billington of St. David, Il, Keyisha Alexander and her husband Wes of St. David, Il, and Marlene Smith and her husband Andrew of Chillicothe; 5 grandchildren, George Foust, Jr. and his fiancé Sydni, Christopher “Boo Boo” Smith and his fiancé Alya, A.J. Foust, Samantha Billington and her fiancé Jordon, and Parker Smith; 3 great-grandchildren, Blakeleigh and Brantley Foust and Prezleigh Smith; 6 siblings, Sue Hebert and her husband Ed of Washington, Il, Kenneth Danz and his wife Dawn of Canton, Il, Carol Hafele of Elmwood, Il, Gladys Pericak and her husband Steve of Peoria, Il, Lori Croxton and her husband Chris of Bartonville, Il, and Tim Smith and his wife Brenda of Bartonville as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.   

Ben was preceded in death by his biological parents, his aunt and uncle who raised him, Jim and Darlene Danz, and a foster brother, Bob Smith.

Visitation for Ben will be from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at the Bland Christian Church in the gym. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. For those attending, masks are suggested and social distancing guidelines must be followed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that expressions of sympathy may be made to cancer charity of the donor’s choice.