Donald L. Smith

Donald L. Smith, 84, of Astoria, IL, passed away at 1 am on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, IL. He was born on July 15, 1939, in Astoria, the son of Eldon and Leona (Ebbert) Smith. Don married Sondra J. Zeisler on June 30, 1961 in Rushville. Sondra preceded Don in death on August 19, 2023.

Also preceding him in death are his parents and one sister; Betty Curtis.

Survivors include his daughter; Tammy (and David) Meyer of Rushville, son; Jeff Smith of Astoria, two brothers; Robert (and Beckie) Smith of Harlingen, Texas and Dennis (and Jody) Smith of Fredrick, IL, and sister; Linda Billingsley of Huntsville, IL.

Don was owner and operator of Don’s Variety in Astoria. He also was a school bus driver for the Astoria School District for many years.

He was a member of Grace Bible Church; where he was a part of the Men’s Fellowship group and a head greeter along side his wife, Sondra. He was an election judge in Astoria for over 20 years.

Along with driving a bus for Astoria and South Fulton Athletic events, Don also kept scorebook for basketball games and was head of ticket sales for athletic events at Astoria Schools for many years. Don was also a former volunteer member of the Astoria Fire and Rescue Squad and Astoria Lions Club. He loved to fish and when he was younger, he loved to hunt squirrel and rabbit.

Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Pastor Ben Murray will be officiating. A visitation will take place from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, January 26, 2024. Interment will be in the Christian Neck Cemetery in Rushville. Memorials may be made to the Astoria Fire and Rescue Squad or Grace Bible Church in Astoria.