William "Russell" Smart

CARTHAGE, Ill. -- William "Russell" Smart, 88, of Carthage, died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday (May 22, 2012) in Memorial Hospital, Carthage.

Russell was born on Feb. 13, 1924, on a farm west of Carthage to Ira and Goldie Smart. He attended a one-room school in Prairie Township, completing the eighth grade. He then worked as a farm hand until entering the U.S. Army in 1943. He served as an infantry medic, participating in the Normandy Invasion landing on Omaha Beach in the first wave of the assault on June 6, 1944. He fought across France until being severely wounded in the Northern France Campaign of August 1944. He was honorably discharged in 1945 while he was still recovering from his wound. He earned the Combat Medic Badge, Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal of Valor.

He again worked as a farm hand and hauled coal. In August 1947, he married Anne Mae Curtis. They divorced in 1968. He then married Mona Lou Bavery in May 1970. She died March 29, 2005.

Russell farmed all of his life in Hancock County. He and Mona Lou also owned and operated Smart Feed and Farm Supply in Basco until 1980. He retired from farming in 1987. Until this year he operated a large bicycle repair business at his home. When not at the local coffee shops sharing humor with his buddies, he was in his shop tinkering with bicycles. He is fondly remembered for keeping all of his grandkids supplied with bicycles which he was sure to keep finely tuned, repaired and updated as they grew.

He is survived by his children, Jim (Maxine) Smart of Carthage, Judy (Mike) Turner of Keokuk, Iowa, Paula (Mitch) Lowman of Warsaw and Mike (Michelle) Bavery of Carthage; six grandchildren, Rex (Amber) Smart, Jeff (Carissa) Cannon, Andy Turner, Heather (Jamie) Hoskins, Lindsay (Brad) Lowman, Alison Bavery and Rachel Bavery; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an older sister, Alice; and his wives.

He enjoyed being around people and sharing a good laugh with everyone he was around. He kept his keen wit and great sense of humor right through to his last day. He quietly passed in his sleep at Carthage Memorial Hospital on May 22, 2012.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday in the Printy Funeral Home, Carthage. Burial, with military rites, will follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery.

VISITATION: From 9 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Great River Honor Flight, Carthage Public Library or the WOW Park.

ARRANGEMENTS: Printy Funeral Home, Carthage.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.