Monroe Earl Smith Jr.

UNION - Monroe Earl Smith Jr., "Smitty," 74, of Union, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009. He passed away unexpectedly in his home because of heart complications.

He was born to Monroe Sr. and Inez (Funderburk) Smith on Jan. 1, 1935, at their home in Riley. He married Joyce Hall on Sept. 15, 1962, in Marengo.

He lived in the Marengo-Union area for his entire life and attended Java School in Riley Township along with Marengo High School, graduating in 1952.

After working for Curran Construction for two years, he joined the U.S. Navy. He spent two years in the Navy with a tour of duty including Panama, Italy, and Greece, among others, and helped evacuate the U.S. Embassy in Egypt.

He may be most remembered as business agent and president for the McHenry and Boone County Laborer's Local 1035. His total service with Laborer's Local 1035 was 33 years. He was an integral part of the building trades and laborer's leadership in the Chicagoland area.

He was a lifelong member of the Union Lion's Club and a trustee of the village of Union. He also was a member of the local Moose Lodge.

When he wasn't serving his community, he enjoyed taking his boat to Lake Geneva, Lake Delevan and most of all Castle Rock/Petenwell flowages. He was always in search of the 15-plus-inch walleye. Never one to miss a holiday, fish frys followed by a game of pinochle, and his grandkids' sporting events, he put a high value on family and being together.

He is survived by his sister, Ila (Smith) Carroll; a daughter, Stacey (Jim) Hare Jr.; his sons, Monroe "Bud" (Lynn Benson) Smith III and Nicklas Smith Sr.; his grandchildren, Benjamin (Sarah), Lizabeth (Marco Hernandez), Anastasia (Carmen Sacco), James III Hare and Nicklas Smith Jr.; his great-grandson, Connor Sacco; a great-granddaughter Hernandez to be; his mother-in-law, Anna Hall; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Leo (Sherry) Hall, Dale (Bev) Hall, Gloria (Gene) Krause, and Joe Hall; and many beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (Hall) Smith; his parents, Monroe Sr. and Inez (Funderburk) Smith; his sister, Emma (Smith) Ackman; his father-in-law, Joseph Hall; his brothers-in-law, Leonard Ackman Sr. and Thomas Carroll Jr.; and his sisters-in-law, Ellen Hall and Maryanne Hall.

The visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Marengo-Union Funeral Home. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Union Legion, 6517 Main St., Union. A luncheon will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Marengo-Union Rescue Squad, Union Fire Department, or a future memorial to be determined by the family.

For information, call the funeral home at 815-568-8131.