Patricia J. Smith

Patricia J. Smith, 96 of Pekin passed away at 2:55 am, Friday, August 19, 2022 at UnityPoint Hospital Pekin. She was born to Lawrence & Margaret (Thaller) Cullinan in Delavan, IL on April 3, 1926. She married Leonard A. Smith in Delavan on June 12, 1948. He preceded her in death on November 16, 1992. Pat was also preceded in death by; her parents; one grandson Joshua Wertz; three brothers, Thomas, Daniel, and Robert Cullinan; one sister, Mary Lou Bozarth; and two brothers-in-law, Herman Garmin and Walt Iber. She is survived by two daughters, Lisa (Rich) Sharp of Mackinaw, IL and Michele (Jim) Messmer of Hayesville, NC; four grandchildren, Jacob Wertz, Shelby (Eric) Wagemann, Kara (Joe) Smith, and Sarah (David) Tyrell; four foster grandsons, Phat Nguyen, Hung Nguyen, Hoany Nguyen and Duc Le; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Doris Garman of Green Valley, IL and Kay Iber of Metropolis, IL. Pat was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. She worked for Coleman Oil Company as a secretary into her 80s. Married to an over the road truck driver, Pat took dual roles in the family all week while Leonard was gone. She also cared for many in her extended family as needed. Later in life she and her grandson Josh were co-caregivers for each other. She would often say, she was Joshs eyes and he was her legs. She was instrumental in helping him obtain his Master Degree from University of Illinois among many things. She was a loyal Cub Fan, and liked the Bradley Braves. Pat was a hard worker. She had little time for hobbies, but a sister-in-law taught her to paint, and she found she was quite good at it, and enjoyed it very much. Pats life was spent in sacrificial love for her family. Her greatest treasure, after her love of God, was time spent, serving and loving her family. She felt very blessed to live alone in her home for her entire adult life, with help more recently by her granddaughter Shelbys faithful daily visits. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 303 S. 7th St., Pekin, IL with Father Michael Andrejek as celebrant. A Rosary service will also be at the church at 11:30 am, Wednesday, with an hour visitation from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, prior to the Mass. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin. Memorials may be made to St. Judes Childrens Hospital. To leave the family and online condolence, visit www.hendersonfuneralcare.com Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, August 24, 2022 1:00 PM St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church 303 S. 7th St Pekin,IL 61554 Rosary Service Wednesday, August 24, 2022 11:30 AM St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church 303 S. 7th St Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Wednesday, August 24, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church 303 S. 7th St Pekin,IL 61554