Jimmy Smiley

Jimmy Newton Smiley, age 82, of Marion, IL, passed away at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Marion, IL.

He was born on June 4, 1943 in Williamson County, IL, to Vernie Smiley and Gevenvieve (Roberts) Smiley.

Jimmy was a graduate of Crab Orchard High School class of 1961.

He was united in marriage to Nancy Lou Cain on August 9, 1963 in Center Baptist Church of Crab Orchard, IL and together they have shared sixty-two years of marriage.

Jimmy proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After his period of faithful service, he was honorably discharged.

After the military, Jimmy worked at the Olin plant for a few years, and then landed a coveted position at Old Ben Coal Company 21 in 1973. During his tenure as a coal miner, Jim also enjoyed his role as a painter for Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.

Following decades of commitment, dedication and steadfastness, Jimmy settled into full retirement in 2005.

Jim was a member of the United Mine Workers of America and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. He was of the Christian faith and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, like fishing and sitting on his back porch with his wife, watching the birds. Jimmy was handy and could fix nearly anything he worked on, especially cars. Above all, Jim loved spending time with his family. He treasured family reunions and meals, getting together with the family and creating wonderful memories. Those memories will now be cherished by those he leaves behind.

He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years, Nancy Smiley of Marion, IL; his son, Jason Michael Smiley and his wife, Erika; sister, Cecelia Clark; brother, Bobby Joe Smiley; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ronald Cain and his wife, Sharon and Tom Cain and wife, Becky; nieces, Lisa O'Cronin and husband, G., Lori Conley and husband, Randall, Dawn Walsner and husband, Robert, Melisa Berendson, Megan Allen and husband, Jeremy, Regina Hendrickson and husband, Duane, and Melinda Doughty and husband, Fred; nephews, Richard Cain, Jr., Harold Cain, Benjamin Cain and wife, Tobi, Travis Sprague and wife, Heather, and Blake Cain and wife, Heather; Brent Dunbar and wife, Lisa, Barry Dunbar and Terry Dunbar and wife, Kaoru; great-nephews, Benjamin Troester and wife, Heather and Joshua Troester and wife, Blaire; great-niece, Kalysta Conley; several great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and several other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bill Smiley and Jerry Smiley; four brothers-in-law, William Dunbar, Richard Cain, Valasa Joe Cain and Garland Clark; and a sister-in-law, Donna K. Dunbar.

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

The visitation will be at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home on Saturday, August 9, 2025, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jeremy Allen presiding.

Burial will follow in Coal Bank Springs Cemetery.

For those who prefer, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the "Alzheimer's Association." Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed c/o Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL 62959.