Gregory Smith

Gregory S. Smith, of Peoria, passed away at 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, just one day after his 61 ^st birthday, at his home.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2015, at First English Lutheran Church in Peoria, with visitation one hour prior to services.
Gregory was born on July 27, 1954 in Peoria, a son of Dewey W. and Colleen D. (Shaw) Smith. They preceded him in death. He married Suz Ann Roelfs on November 24, 1979 in Flatville. She survives.
He is also survived by his daughters, Katherine (Michael) Kenig of Middleton, WI, Rebecca Smith of Fort Worth, TX and Nicole Smith of Arcola; sister, Kimm Perez of Peoria; brothers, Zack (Debbie) Smith of Fairview, TN, Jeff (Sheila) Smith of Daytona Beach, FL and Rod (Corina) Smith of Germantown Hills; and granddaughter, Kinsi Kenig.
Gregory was a loving husband and father, a dedicated volunteer and a hard-worker. He lived a life of service by always putting other’s needs before his own. He taught his family to always do the right thing and to have respect for everyone. Even though he worked many hours, he always made time for his family.
He loved cooking, watching soccer and going to St. Louis Cardinals games. Without exception, he could always recommend a good restaurant (and give you directions on how to get there) in any town or city he’d visited.
Gregory was a member and co-founder of the local chapter of the National Association of Healthcare Underwriters, where he twice served as President, and once as State President. He also served on the Illinois Adequate Healthcare Task Force. He believed that the only way to make a difference was to get involved. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church, where he had served as the Church Council President.
He was an agent for RW Garrett Insurance for twenty-one years, since 1994, and was formerly an agent for Traveler’s Insurance, from 1977 to 1994. For thirty-seven years, he worked in health insurance, helping employers and individuals make good choices in their insurance programs.
Memorial contributions may be made in Greg’s memory to First English Lutheran Church or to the local charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue, in Peoria.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gregory Smith, please visit our floral store.