Ronald Ray Smith

Ronald Ray Smith, 81, of Effingham, formerly of Arcola, died March 6, 2021 at 1:57 p.m. EST in North Naples Community Hospital in Naples, Florida.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 pm Friday, March 19, 2021 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 S. Main Street, Tuscola. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 20,2021 at Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home with Pastor Glenda Johnston officiating. Burial will follow in the Arcola Cemetery. A Gathering of Friends will be held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 20th at Kaskaskia County Club, rural Arcola. Masks are suggested at all gatherings.

Ron was born June 18, 1939 in Blue Mound the son of Frank K. and Dorothy M. Polson Smith. He married Donna Myers on May 29, 1966.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Smith of Effingham; 5 children, Kim Smith (Nancy Crossman) of Tuscola; Kevin (Debi) Smith of Terre Haute, Indiana; Shawna (Jim) Nees of Tuscola; Shandon (Kristina) Smith of Tuscola; Shane (Lesley) Smith of Cape Coral, Florida; 11 grandchildren, Kaleigh Smith, Kinzie Anderson, Joshua Smith, Jessica Rentfro, Hannah Sherrill, Austin and Savannah Beniach, Preston and Pierson Smith, Brix and Vivienne Smith; 2 brothers, Frank Smith of Champaign; Mike Smith of Dallas, Texas; sister, Marilyn Ostberg of Newport News, Virginia. He was preceded in death by a sister, Phyllis Yoder.

Ron owned and operated Ron Smith Trucking Inc. in Arcola for many years.

Ron had previously enjoyed softball, bowling leagues, and later became an avid golfer and enjoyed boating at Lake Sara. After retiring, Ron and Donna spent winters in Naples, Florida.

He was a member of the Effingham Country Club and former member of the Kaskaskia County Club for many years.

Ron served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Knox.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com