Donald Ray "Don" Smith

Donald "Don" R. Smith, age 84, of Marion, IL, passed away peacefully with his family near, at 12:54 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026 at his home.

He was born on February 15, 1942 at his home in Crab Orchard, IL the son of Raymond and Adell (Moulton) Smith.

Don attended school in Crab Orchard and was a graduate of Crab Orchard High School Class of 1959. He continued with his education by attending at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, IL where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry. After he received his degree, he began teaching chemistry at Carterville for 1 year. He returned back to Southern Illinois University and received his Master's Degree in Education.

After receiving his Master's Degree, he began teaching chemistry for Southern Illinois University for 11 years. Leaving SIU, he decided to go into business opening Toy Kingdom in Marion around 1980 until the mid-80's and later Pool Village and Tropical Snow operating them for about 12 years. Later he went back to teaching for the Albion Schools in Albion, IL for about 5 years until in 1991 he received an opportunity to begin teaching chemistry and physics for Marion High School. He became head of the Science Department and organized and began the "Advance Placement Program" the only one in Southern Illinois at that time. This program offered college credit chemistry classes to students in area. In 2006, he decided to retire from Marion. Retirement did not last long and he began teaching again for Benton, Harrisburg and Crab Orchard schools. He continued teaching until he was age 82 and decided to finally retire.

He was united in marriage to Joan E. (Banks) Vaughn on April 13, 1991 in Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Marion and together they have shared 34 years of marriage.

He has been a member of Aldersgate Global Methodist Church of Marion since the mid 1980's. He also was part of the church choir and member and treasurer of the Good Shepard's Sunday School Class.

In his spare time, he enjoyed having a challenge doing Sudoku Puzzles and 1000-piece Jigsaw Puzzles. He also enjoyed traveling to many parts of this country and abroad including Europe, Russia and the Panama Canal. He loved going to gospel singings and quartet conventions. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan and having been a 50 plus year ticket holder to SIU home basketball games.

His faith and family were a large part of his life. He was very proud of his family and was always interested in hearing about the many activities going on in their lives. He enjoyed the times they shared together and the many memories created will now be cherished by those he leaves behind.

He is survived by his wife, Joan E. Smith of Marion, IL; three sons, Kelly R. Smith and wife, April of Fairfield, IL, J. Scott Smith and wife, Heather of Marion, IL and Dony P. Smith and wife, Nicole of Smyrna, TN; three bonus children, Scott Vaughn and wife, Dawn of East Peoria, IL, H. Todd Vaughn and wife, Diane of Crab Orchard, IL and Stephanie Harrison of Marion, IL; fourteen grandchildren, Alex Donaldson of Johnston City, IL, Corbin Vaughn of Johnston City, IL, Alyssa Short and husband, Hunter of Fairfield, IL, Jerrick Smith and wife, Jenna of Princeton, IN, Aly Nicole Marzouq of Marion, IL, Caleb Vaughn and wife, Jade of Paducah, KY, Sarah Smith of Marion, IL, Callie Vaughn of St. Peters, MO, Kinsey Scarbrough and husband, Hunter of Fairfield, IL, Andrew Smith and wife, Elizabeth of Fairfield, IL, Nikolas Smith of Marion, IL, Alexys Smith of Smyrna, TN, Izabella Smith of Smyrna, TN and Sophia Harrison of Marion, IL; seven great grandchildren, Charlee Sue Donaldson and Jace Donaldson both of Johnston City, IL, Emery Short, Ellis Short and Ezra Short all of Fairfield, IL, Noah Smith of Princeton, IN and Luka Scarbrough of Fairfield, IL; soon to join the family on March 8th will be great grandson, Matthew Smith of Fairfield, IL; special niece, Janice McCollum of Evansville, IN; special nephew, Chuck McCollum of Naples, FL; his good buddy who is a Mini Australian Shepard, Logan of Marion, IL; sister-in-law, Joyce Gregory of Bloomington, IL and Joy Friend and husband, Don of Havana, IL; four brothers-in-law, Bill Banks and wife, Marilyn of Avon, IN, Jim Banks and wife, Carolene of Canton, IL, Max Banks and wife, Joan of Bloomington, IL and Steve Banks of Havana, IL, many other extended family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Velma McCollum, Mildred Parker and Jean Hayes and brother, Shannon Smith.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL.

The time of visitation will be at Aldersgate Global Methodist Church, located at 1201 North Fair Street, Marion, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Visitation will resume on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Following the time of visitation the funeral service will at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Sarah Wanck and Pastor Gabe Wanck presiding.

Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery of Marion, IL.

For those who prefer, the family has requested memorial contributions be made to "Aldersgate Global Methodist Church" to be used for missions. Supporting missions was something very important to him. Contribution envelopes will be available at the church or may be mailed c/o Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL 62959.

For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.