PERCY – John L. Smith, Sr., 86, of Percy, passed away at 4:49 am, Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at Three Springs Lodge, Chester, Illinois.

John was born in Cutler, Illinois, on March 12, 1934, the son of Albert J. and Ollie Irene Moore Smith.  He married Tinneth "Ruth" Church Mathews on March 15, 1982 at Cutler, Illinois.  He first worked for Hunter Meat Co. then he retired from Morrell Meat Co. after 23 years.  John was a member of First Baptist Church, Cutler.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

John is survived by his wife, T. Ruth Smith of Percy; children, Donna (Wayne) Carroll of Mt. Vernon, IN, Eddy Mathews of Percy, Joy (John) Underdown of Herrin, IL, John L., Jr. (Sharon) Smith of Willisville, Larry (Kathy) Mathews of Beach Park, IL, and Sandy (Scott) Reiman of Campbell Hill; 14 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; two sisters, Carol (James) Lively of Campbell Hill and Patsy (Jerry) Briley of Cutler; and two brothers, Kenneth Smith, Sr. of Cutler, and Robert (Kathy) Smith of Cutler.

John was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Emily Reiman; one sister-in-law, Patsy Smith; two sisters; and four brothers.

Funeral service will be held Friday, November 6, 2020, at 1:00 pm, at First Baptist Church, Cutler, with Rev. Zachary Furlong officiating.  Burial will follow at Cutler Cemetery, Cutler, Illinois.  Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 11:30 am until 1 pm.  Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church, Cutler.  To sign the guestbook visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net .  Due to executive orders, social distancing and face mask guidelines are to be followed.