Frank D. Smith I

Frank D. Smith I, age 80, of Pittsfield, IL passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. He was born on October 9, 1941 in Pleasant Hill, IL to John William and Callie Davis Smith. Frank married Sharon Panozzo on October 9, 1962 in Lake Arrowhead, CA and she survives.

Frank joined the United States Marine Corp in May 1959 when he was only 17 years old at Camp Pendleton, CA. Sharon and Frank met in Rockford, IL where her mother lovingly picked Frank for her. After his honorable discharge in April 1963 with the rank of Corporal E-4, they returned to Rockford where he worked for Rockford Blacktop. They moved to Pittsfield in 1970 to begin life on their family farm. Frank worked for Freesens and JD Barter Construction and later started his own business in 1977, Frank D. Smith & Sons Backhoe & Dozing. Frank was an avid trapshooter and was awarded as Champion by Illinois Trapshooters Association where he was a two time 200 straight shooter; he also took top honors with Luke in the Father & Son Trapshooting Championship. He and Sharon enjoyed traveling the country in their motorhome and spent many winters in Texas and Arizona. He was always a hardworking man and never really stopped working, he could often be found checking in on his sons businesses and chatting up the customers. Frank was a member of Local 150 Union of Chicago, Local 965 Union of Springfield, and American Trapshooting Association. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and enjoyed hunting squirrel and duck and loved to fish with his faithful fishing buddy, Bo. Frank deeply loved his family and was a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather. His great grandchildren lovingly called him ‘the produce man’ because he often brought them fresh produce. He will be remembered fondly by many as a giving and generous man.

Frank is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon Smith; two sons, Luke (Angie) Smith of Summer Hill, IL and Frank (Dawn) Smith of Pittsfield, IL; one daughter, Callie Smith of Pittsfield, IL; eight grandchildren, Adrienne (Aaron) White, Lucas Smith, Blake Smith, Kara (Trevor) Helkey, Frank Smith III, Richard Smith, Clayton Smith and Grace Smith; three great grandchildren, Aria White, Aspen White and Asher White; two sisters, Helen Logan of Rockford, IL and Peggy Clark of Summer Hill, IL; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Callie Smith; six sisters, Mildred Rubinger, Elizabeth Shull, Bertha Wood, Marie Burge, Wanda Bargward and Betty Alfano; and one brother, John W. Smith.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with visitation prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to be made to Pittsfield American Legion Post #152. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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