Condolences to the Family of Vic Smith

News of Vic Smith's passing has been shared with some individuals, but here are the details for those who have not seen it yet.

Victor N. Smith, 90, of Champaign passed away on Oct. 11, 2013, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Victor was born Oct. 9, 1923, on a farm near Burnt Prairie to parents,
Silas and Emma (Stahl) Smith. He graduated from Fairfield High School and attended Brown Business School in Salem, after which he worked as a bookkeeper for an oil company in Salem.

With the money saved from this job, he enrolled at Southern Illinois University. It was here that he met Betty Marie Russell on a blind date. They were later married on Sept. 9, 1944, while he was serving in the United States Army Air Corps. To this union was born Russell N. Smith, Vicki Lynn Smith Snyder and Linda Sue Smith Snyder.

Victor served in the United States Army Air Corps. He served as bombardier on a B-17 bomber. He was stationed in Foggia, Italy, and took part in 17 missions. On one mission, his plane was shot down over enemy territory, and he was assisted back to his home base by partisans living in that area. He was awarded two flying medals for his missions.

After World War II, Victor and his family lived on a farm in Franklin County. They worshipped at Rend City Baptist Church. He was employed by The University of Illinois Agriculture Extension Service as a youth adviser in Perry County, Extension adviser in Williamson County and livestock specialist in the western Illinois area.

He was junior livestock director at the Illinois State Fair for several years. He also served as a livestock judge in many areas of Illinois.While serving in these various positions, he lived in Macomb. Upon retirement, he moved to Champaign to be closer to his family.

Victor and Betty enjoyed dancing and playing cards. Later in life, Victor enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, specifically their sports activities.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Vicki Lynn Smith Snyder; and his sister, Eva Curd. Surviving is his wife, Betty Marie; his son, Russell Smith, of Champaign, and his daughter, Linda Terry) Sue Smith Snyder, of Suwanee, Ga. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Melissa (Jeff) Snyder, Cynthia (Tom) Adamek, Erin (Christian) Romeiser and Brent (Allison) Snyder, and eight great- grandchildren.

Graveside service and burial will be held at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, on Monday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family would appreciate contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4600 Park Road, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy, is handling arrangements.