Ray H. Smith

Marion- Ray H. Smith, 87, of Marion, passed away at 12:45pm on Saturday January 1, 2005 at St Louis University Hospital. Ray was born December 2, 1917 in Creal Springs, Illinois to Henry A. and Mildred (Fletcher) Smith. He married Lucinda Odum on July 20, 1940 in St Charles, Missouri. She preceded him in death on January 1, 1996. Ray was a retired carpenter, building contractor, and developer. During World War II, he worked in Evansville, Indiana in a shipyard building landing ship transports, LSTs . After the war, he began his career as a builder and developer in and around Marion and Southern Illinois. In the early 1970s he started the Ray Smith Construction Company, developed the Ray Smith Subdivision and continued developing that until the last home he built was for his daughter in 1991, where she currently lives. Ray was the general contractor on the Aldersgate Church when it moved from South Market Street to the corner of DeYoung Street. He also was the contractor for the First Church of God and their Family Life Center. Mr Smith was one of the original board members on the Marion City Housing Authority when it was formed in 1977. He was an avid St Louis Cardinal fan. Ray was a member of the Marion Masonic Lodge #89 A.F. A.M. as well as the Constistory of Belleville. He was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a lifetime member of the Carpenters Union. Ray was a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church for over 40 years. He enjoyed visiting with his friends at the round table at Pulleys. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Duncan and her husband Fred of Marion and Diana Dulle and her husband Rich of Pinckneyville. Ray had three grandchildren: David Matthew Gregory and his wife Ashley of Carbondale, David Joshua Dulle of Charleston, Illinois, and Maria Gabriella Dulle of Pinckneyville, Illinois. He is also survived by a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ivalene and Mac Ary of Marion. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and many friends. Ray was preceded in death by his Parents, wife (Lucinda Smith), 3 sisters (Reathel Seavers, Mae Lawson, Evelyn Rayburn), and one brother (Loy Smith). Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion has been entrusted with arrangements. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday January 5, 2005 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Roger Perry and Rev. Roger Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be from 5pm until 9pm on Tuesday January 4, 2005 at the funeral home. Memorial Donations may be made to the Aldersgate Building Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com