Obituary: Smith

Martha Smith, 95, of Fairbury, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Fairview Haven surrounded by her four daughters.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church of Fairbury. Visitation is from 9:00 to 10:45am. Funeral service will begin at 11:00am with Pastor Charles Mendoza and Josh Clemons officiating. Burial will follow at Chenoa Township Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Martha’s name to Fairview Haven Retirement Community or OSF Hospice.

Martha was born on July 3, 1929, in Meadows, Illinois, the daughter of Amelia and Samuel Schrock. She married Don Smith on September 3, 1950. He preceded her in death on March 26, 2024. Also surviving are daughters, Marcia (Jay) Walter of Fairbury, Jayne (Don) Trowitch of Fairbury, Kim Traub of Charleston, and Janet (Greg) Leake of Lexington; grandchildren, Todd (Kelly) Davis, Sarah Steidl, Matthew (Amber) Trowitch, Julie Read, Andy (Ashton) Traub, Jeff (Valerie) Traub, Evan (Erika) Leake, Ryan (Maggie) Leake, Bradley (Dustin Martinez) Leake, Janna (Joey) Stillwell, and Ashlee Leake; 24 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, two brothers-in-law, one brother, one sister-in-law, and two great grandchildren.

She was a member and attended Meadows Mennonite church. Upon moving to Fairbury, she and Don attended the United Methodist church. Martha was a wonderful farmwife and homemaker. She loved to bake and is well known in the family for her cinnamon rolls. She always had cookies in the cookie jar or the freezer and had some kind of dessert at every meal. She loved gardening and enjoyed her flowers and vegetables. She and Don enjoyed traveling, spending time with her sisters and their husbands, and going out to eat and playing cards with friends. As life slowed down, she enjoyed reading and putting together 1000 plus piece puzzles. She also enjoyed watching sports and always tuned into Golden State Warriors basketball and Cubs baseball games. Of course, her favorite times were when she was with family. 

She was a special person, loved by many, and will be missed. 

The family would like to give a special thank you to the caretakers at Fairview Haven and OSF Hospice.

Online condolences may be left at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com