Donald L. Smith

CARBONDALE – Donald L. Smith, 84, of Carbondale passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, with his family by his side.



He was born October 15, 1934 in Carbondale to Loyd and Alberta (Skaggs) Smith. Don married Joyce Stephens on April 3, 1959 and they spent 60 years together.



Don served his country from 1954 to 1958 in the Air Force, primarily in Lincoln, Nebraska and Lakenheath AF Base in England. He achieved the rank of SSgt while working with Strategic Air Command.



Don loved to travel. He and Joyce had been through all of the United States, parts of Canada, the Caribbean and to Europe. Donald maintained that Southern Illinois was still the most beautiful place in the country.



He retired from Xerox Corporation and serviced many copy machines in Southern Illinois. He played golf many years at Hickory Ridge Golf Course and was an avid reader. He enjoyed many winters in Sarasota, Florida playing golf.



Survivors include wife, Joyce Smith of Carbondale; daughter and son-in-law Pamela (Ron) McCollom of Mulkeytown; son, Randall Smith of Carbondale; granddaughter Jennifer McCollom of Carbondale; half-sister Debbie Smith; niece Linda Thompson of Carbondale; nephew Stephen Thompson of Arizona; nephew Mark (Tomi) Phemister of Jonesboro; nephew Andrew Phemister of Mankato, MN; aunts, uncles, & cousins.



He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Barbara Jean Rodd, sister- in- law and brother- in- law, Leonard and Dorothy Thompson.



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.



Visitation for Don will be 5 – 7 PM on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Meredith Funeral Home, Carbondale. Graveside services will be held 10:00 AM on Monday, September 16, at Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale with Rev. Paul Hicks officiating.



To share a memory or story of Don, visit www.meredithfh.com