Kayla Marie Smith

Kayla Marie Smith, 13, of Springfield, passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at her home, surrounded by her family. Kayla was born March 4, 1997 in Springfield, the daughter of Shawn and Jennifer Smith Kraus. Kayla enjoyed fishing, camping, going to the movies, playing with her puppies, and playing with her brothers. She was an avid Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and Fighting Illini fan. Even though she battled Ataxia Telangiectasia most of her life and brain cancer for one year, she was a very happy and loving girl, whose smile could light up a room. Kayla is survived by her parents, Shawn and Jennifer Kraus of Springfield, as well as two brothers, Joseph and Bryce. She is also survived by grandparents, Mike and Darlene Kraus of Springfield, Kathy Lewis of Springfield, and Kevin Bailey of Springfield; an uncle, Josh Smith of Springfield; two aunts, Christina Kraus and Kip Smith of Springfield. Great-grandparents are Kathy (husband, Leo, Sr.) Zappa of Springfield, George and Karen Lewis of Savoy and Cliff and Marcie Smith of Girard. There are many great-uncles, great-aunts and cousins, as well. She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Scott Smith; great-grandmother Shirley Blankenship Lewis; great-grandfather, Michael Kraus; and great-grandparents, Frank and Mary Hubeny. The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 30, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Services will be held immediately following at the Funeral Home. Interment will be at Stearn's Cemetery, Fithian-Muncie, Illinois. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the A-T Children's Project (www.atcp.org), 5300 W. Hillsboro Blvd, #105, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.