Gary Lee Smith, 80 of Viola, Illinois, died Sunday, June 2, 2024, at home surrounded by loved ones. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Funeral services are 10 a.m., Thursday, June 6, at the funeral home. Burial is in Viola Cemetery. Immediately following the graveside service will be a time of fellowship at Viola United Methodist Church. Memorials may be left for Viola Fire Department. Online condolences may be left at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.
Gary was born October 14, 1943, in Monmouth, Illinois, and was adopted by George and Leila Spence Smith.
He married Joyce Louise Swank on March 1, 1963, at the Viola Methodist Church.
Gary worked off the farm to supplement the farm income…baling hay and picking corn for his neighbors, working at Shale City Brick Yard and Admiral Corp of Galesburg, doing carpenter work with Dave Skinner, serving as Greene Township Road Commissioner, and working at the Viola Home Telephone Company for 40 years. He was a member of the Viola Fire Department for 35 years.
Gary was a Farmer at heart and farmed for 46 years, retiring from farming in 2009.
Gary was a lifetime member of the Viola Methodist Church, as well as a member of Mercer County Farm Bureau, Jaycees, and Lion’s Club.
Gary is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce; his three children, Christine (Jeff) Skiles, Darcy (Scott) Jones, and Randy Smith all of Viola; three grandchildren, Tressa Starkweather of Colona, Leslie Barrett of Colchester, and Jacob McRoberts of Matherville; five great grandchildren, Lauren and Victoria Starkweather and Colton, Mason, and Miles Barrett; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Leila Smith, and a sister, Julia Smith.