Tony A. Smith

Tony A. Smith, age 58, of Sugar Grove, IL, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, July 4, 2007 at the University of Chicago Hospital, where he was taken June 11, after suffering a spontaneous brain hemorrhage.

He was born December 22, 1948 in Aurora, IL, the son of Chuck and Anne Marie (nee Schultz) Summers. Soon after his birth, he was adopted by Junior Pearl and Florence J. (nee Ferguson) Smith. Although his grade school and junior high years were spent in Yorkville, he moved to the Kaneland area in his freshman year and went on to play varsity football at Kaneland.

Following graduation, Tony landed a job working for Caterpillar in Montgomery where he retired from the Inspection Department after 37 years. Through those years, he was married twice and blessed three times with children who grew to regard him as their "best friend".

In 1974 he bought his present home and, that same year, reconnected with his birth parents. Though their own lives would soon come to a close, they would each be blessed with discovering the man their little boy had grown to be.

Perhaps it was the result of his own early struggles, that Tony always had a heart for those who needed a roof over their head and a friend they could trust. He had a way of giving yet setting boundaries that earned respect as well as appreciation. Moreover, Tony had the kind of personality that people remembered. Whether it was his sense of humor, his outright pranks or his engaging brand of banter, sooner or later, he had everyone in the room smiling his way.

In more recent years, Tony indulged himself with the purchase of a Harley motorcycle, which he dearly loved. But in his garage, there was a 1953 Willys Jeep that had been "Tony-ized" to something entirely unique. Actually, the jeep had lots of company as Tony was driven to customize everything from the TV remote holder to his motorcycle trailer. He was a "home engineer" with enough home made gadgets to have starred in his own "info-mercial".

He is survived by three children: Junior A. (Dotty Treadway) Smith of Kaneville, IL Derrick Smith of South Elgin, IL, Truli (Dan Mumaw) Smith of Sandwich, IL, and their mothers: Rosa Lee of Aurora, IL and Judy Gustafson of South Elgin, IL; step-father, Raymond Schultz of Beloit, WI; five grandchildren: McKenzie Norris granddaughter, Elise Mumaw of Sandwich (both) Ron Smith of Kaneville, IL (Junior's son) John Atkins of Geneva, IL, Katie (John) Harper of Sycamore, IL; one great grandson, Kael Atkins; one very special companion, Teri Suggett of Kaneville, IL. In addition he leaves a host of good friends and a Blue Heeler named "Sadie" who was always ready to ride with Tony any where, any time on any vehicle. Siblings: Joanne Gerloff, of Beloit, WI, Lois Hunt of Kaneville, IL, Eddie Schultz, Mississippi, Willie Gates of Sycamore, IL, and Chuck Gates of St. Charles, IL.

He is preceded in death by his parents; three siblings: two sisters Donna Wells and Cindy Schober and one brother, Dick Smith

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 8, 2007 from 3pm to 7pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Funeral services will follow Monday morning at the funeral home at 11am. The Rev. Jerry Herrin, of the Faith Tabernacle, Aurora, will officiate. Interment will conclude at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL.

A memorial has been established in Tony's name to benefit the Good Samaritan Fund and other local charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Tony Smith Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com.