Dateline: Godfrey
Orval Ford Smith Jr., 88, died at 12:50 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2024 at Jerseyville Manor. Born November 8, 1935 in Onarga, IL, he was the son of Orval Ford Smith Sr. and Annie Lee (Moore) Smith. Mr. Smith retired as a machinist from Owens Illinois Glass. On March 14, 1953 he married the former Barbara Ann Goldman in Randolph County, Arkansas. She preceded him in death on February 21, 2019. Surviving are children, Terri Hack of Godfrey, Cheri (Dick) Dover of Godfrey, Denise (Terry) Hansen of Jerseyville, and Sandy Bailey of East Alton, one son, Dennis Smith of Tampa, FL, 14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jerry Hack and a brother, David Smith. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com