Ella Marie Smith, 96, of Fulton, IL, passed away peacefully at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Clifton “Bud” and Donna Smith, on Thursday, April 5, 2018.
Ella was born November 20, 1921, to Rueben and Hazel (Bennett) Green at her home in Fairhaven, in Carroll County, IL. She graduated from Fulton High School with the Class of 1939. She married Clifford Smith in Clinton, IA, on September 16, 1939; they celebrated 65 years of marriage. Ella worked at Swift Co. in Clinton. In 1952 she and her husband purchased a shop in Garden Plain, IL, and established Smitty’s Welding Service, where she served as the bookkeeper. Through all of her life she was a housewife and raised a family of four children. Ella and her husband owned a piece of timber land in the Cedar Creek area between Fulton and Albany, IL, which had Cedar Creek running through it . She called this place “My Beloved Timber.” She enjoyed spending time there, watching the birds and wild life. Ella enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren and also spending time with her family. All the family with their children, nieces and nephews, as well as many friends have lasting memories of sitting around the campfire in Ella’s beloved timber, singing songs, telling stories, and sharing lots of laughter. Ella had simple tastes, and her faith in God was the inspiration she used to live her life.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Lou McKenzie of DeKalb, IL, and Beth (Ray) Eshelman of Albany; two sons, Clifton “Bud” (Donna) Smith of Fulton and Eugene (Jami) Smith of Eugene, OR; nine grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five step-great grandchildren; three step-great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Eve Houzenga of Morrison, IL; five sisters-in-law, Ann Green of Morrison, Marguerite Green of Forreston, IL, Donna Smith of Morrison, Anna Marie Smith of Fulton, and Harriet Vrchoticky of Morrison; one brother-in-law, Jerry (Marge) Smith of Wisconsin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clifford “Smitty” Smith; three brothers, Chuck, Bill, and Russell Green; five sisters, Irma Green, Doris Jensen, Norma May Merrill, Harriet Schaver, and Florence Bielema; one great-grandson.
Cremation rites will be accorded; the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Ella requested no visitation or services.
A private graveside committal service at Garden Plain Cemetery will be held for the immediate family.
A “Celebration of Life” gathering for friends and family will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at the Morrison-Rockwood State Park hilltop Pavilion in Morrison, IL.
Memorials may be sent to Genesis Hospice or Garden Plain Presbyterian Church.
A special thanks to the angels of Genesis Hospice, Dr. Oshea, Sheri, Norma, Lori, Peggy, Gen, Trisha, Cindy, Reba, Lesle, Linda, Louisa, Ed Kramer, and Amanda–our beautiful song bird.
To send condolences go to www.bosmarenkes.com.