Bertha Joann Smith

Bertha JoAnn Smith

(January 21, 1942 – November 6, 2021)

Bertha JoAnn Smith , 79, of rural Beecher City, IL, passed away at 8:20 a.m. Saturday, November 6, 2021 in her home.

A Celebration of Life service and luncheon will be held at noon on Sunday, November 21, 2021 in the Shelbyville Lions Club Building in Forest Park, Shelbyville, IL.  Graveside services will follow in Gallagher Chapel/Holland Township Cemetery, near Fancher, IL.  Memorials may be given to her family.  Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.

JoAnn was born on January 21, 1942 in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Glen Cornelius and Vera Maurine (Hanson) Welton.  She worked at Shelby Memorial Hospital for many years, retiring in 1997.  She married Robert Oliver “Bob” Smith on February 23, 1961.  He preceded her in death on October 9, 2020.  JoAnn enjoyed mushroom hunting, traveling, cracking walnuts and baking cookies.

She is survived by her two sons, Robert Wayne Smith (Kelle) of Pana, IL and Ernie Oliver Smith of Beecher City, IL; four grandchildren, Jeffery M. Smith (Kerianna), Veronica Lynn Smith, Eric Oliver Smith (Tracy) and Katlin Davis (Brad); five great grandchildren, Alexa Roberts, Kiernan Smith, Bruce Wayne Smith, Ellowyn  Davis and Kylan Davis; brothers, Harold Welton (Jeanna) of Mode, Glen “Jeep” of Indiana, Dwight Welton of Beecher City, and Glen Welton, Jr. of Mattoon; sisters, Shirley Smith (Don) of Mode, Edna Smith (Fred) of Shelbyville, Retha Orr (Roger) of Shelbyville, Jeanette Welton of Mode, Alice Workman of Akron, OH and Julie Welton of Effingham.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert O. Smith; son, John E. Smith; brothers, Jack, Don “Curley”, Ted, Mark, Earl, Carl, Gerald and Thomas Welton; sister, Judy Welton; and sisters-in-law, Lea Ann Welton and Ann Welton.