James M. “Mickey” Smith, 75-years-old, went to live with the Lord on December 27, 2024 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois.
Mickey was born December 24, 1949, in Centralia, Illinois to James R. Smith and Iris D. (Jarvis) Smith. Mickey was married Peggy Bonner in 1979 and divorced in 1981.
Mickey and Patty Hatcher were married on August 26, 1990, in Centralia, Illinois.
He grew up on a farm near Mulberry Grove, Illinois until November 1961, when the family moved to Granton, Wisconsin to a dairy farm. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force. Mickey was stationed in the Philippines and traveled to 12 different countries. When his tour was over he came back to Centralia, Illinois, and began working for the City of Centralia for almost 35 years in the water department. After retirement in 2005, he and Patty enjoyed fishing and camping at Forbes State Park, where they later became camp hosts for 17 years. Mickey also worked part-time at the park with clean-up and maintenance. Due to failing health, Mickey completely retired to his home where he liked to watch the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, work on crossword puzzles, and reading books on Abraham Lincoln. He was a member of the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055 Auxiliary.
Mickey is survived by his wife, Patty Smith of Centralia; sister: Dorris Mashburn of Centralia; two brothers: Edward Smith and wife Judy of Springfield, Illinois, and Richard Smith and wife Eileen of Leesburg, Florida; two stepsons: Lance Bonner of Centralia and Chris Sails and wife Samantha of Thousand Oaks, California; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law: David Hatcher of Centralia; two sisters-in-law: Julie Hatcher of Centralia and Melisa Hatcher of Denver, Colorado; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents: James and Iris Smith, step daughter: Regina “Gina” Bonner Schwartz, father and mother-in-law: Daniel Lee and Pat Hatcher, four brothers-in-law: Robert Mashburn, Terry Hatcher, Dale Hatcher and George Hatcher, and two sisters-in-law: Rhonda Hatcher and Loretta Hatcher.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor Anthony Sweeney officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Central City, Illinois. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia and a Visitation will also be held on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the Funeral Home. Military Honors will be accorded Thursday evening at 7:00 PM by the Centralia America Legion Post 446 and the Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Patty Smith and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Mickey’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.
