Walter L. Smith

KEWANEE - Walter L. Smith, 84, of Kewanee, died at 11:33 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria.

He was born May 18, 1940 in Buda, IL, the son of Roy and Dorothy (Green) Smith. He married Anneliese E. “Ann” Kemptner on April 19, 1963 in Bruhl, Germany and she preceded him in death on May 10, 2008. Survivors include his son, Jim Smith of Kewanee, sister, Betty Frampton of Kewanee, five grandchildren; Lisa, Ashley, Brandon, Kourtney and Logan and ten great grandchildren; Kristopher, Morgan, Nora, Knox, Theo, Max, Eli, Jersey, Millie and Delaney. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his son, Timothy “Mole” Smith, his daughter, Dianna Turley, two sisters, Myrtle “Mert” Nelson and Joyce Walker and twin son in infancy.

Walter graduated from Buda High School in 1958 and attended Black Hawk College East Campus. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1960-63 serving at the end of the Korean Conflict and two tours in Vietnam. He also served in the Army National Guard Reserves. He worked at Pines Trailer and the Kewanee Boiler Corporation and had also worked at Farm King in Kewanee for 22 years. He was of the Catholic faith and had been an A.A. Sponsor. Walt was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and was grateful to have attended the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, painting and working on cars.

A memorial visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Friday, January 24 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee followed by inurnment with military honors by the Kewanee Veterans Council at Pleasant View Cemetery. Following the cemetery there will be a time of further fellowship and refreshment at the Kewanee American Legion. Memorials may be directed to Alcoholics Anonymous.

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