CJ Smith (78) of Effingham

CJ Smith, 78, of Effingham, Illinois, passed away at 8:01 a.m. on Monday, September 2, 2019 at his home with his wife by his side after battling soft tissue sarcoma cancer for the last 5 plus years.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 5 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Private burial will in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham with military rites.

Memorials may be made to HSHS Hospice of Southern Illinois, Hope Lodge, 4215 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108, or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

CJ was born on November 28, 1940 to JB and Martha (Kieffer) Smith in Chester, Illinois. He married Jean Ann McDougal on May 20, 1967 in Sparta, Illinois. They celebrated 52 years of marriage in May.

CJ was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was a printer at World Color Press in Sparta, Illinois and Effingham, Illinois for 40 years. He sold and installed satellite dishes for over 30 years.

He loved his family and was an avid golfer and NASCAR fan. He was thrilled to see his St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup! He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was very proud of all of them.

CJ is survived by his wife, Jean Ann of Effingham; son, Doug (Gwyn) Smith of Effingham; daughter, Dena Hill of Effingham; 3 grandchildren, Drake Hill of Effingham, Callaway Smith and Olivya Smith both of Effingham; one sister, Elaine (Steve) Clement of Belleville; brother-in-law, William McDougal of Sparta; along with multiple nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.