Bobby (Bob) K. Smith

Bobby (Bob) K. Smith, 82, of Conroe, Texas, and formerly of Bradley, died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Houston Methodist the Woodlands Hospital. 

He was born on Feb. 3, 1939, in Cobden, the son of Roy Lee Smith and Thelma Louise Bloodworth Smith. 

He married Connie Sue Rich of Anna on Sept. 13, 1958.

Mr. Smith served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles from May 28, 1957, to March of 1960. 

He worked at General Foods in Kankakee for 33 years, retiring in 1995. He then went on to manage a family-owned laundromat with his wife Connie for 10 years, in Bourbonnais.

Mr. Smith was passionate about flying and was a licensed private pilot, a hobby he enjoyed in retirement. In retirement, he also drove a school bus for the Manteno Public Schools. He loved God, his beloved wife Connie and his family dearly.

Mr. Smith also loved serving in his church, Kankakee Gospel Assembly, where he was an elder for 50 years. 

He never missed an opportunity to serve as a lunch monitor and to spend time with the kids at school. 

He loved bringing his loyal canine companion, Barney, to visit with the students. Bob had a heart of gold, a true servant of the Lord and he served wherever he could. 

Bob also was a super fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and cheered for whoever played against the Chicago Cubs.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Smith of Conroe, Texas; three sons and three daughters-in-law, Michael and Sharon Smith of Bradley, Jeffrey and Karla Smith of Limestone and Timothy and Denise Smith of Houston, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law, Cherie (Smith) and Wayne Roberts of Conroe, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Amy Riley, Heather Smith, Rachel Abraham, Brent Smith, Bryan Smith, Logan Smith, Haley Rhudy, Collin Smith, Ryan Smith and Austin Burge; 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Sue Smith of Bradley, Pat Smith of Harrisburg and Pat Boie of Bradley; and many nieces and nephews. 

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Thelma Smith; five brothers Roy Jr., Charles, Donald, Bill and Gordan; two sisters, Marietta and Evelyn; and one infant sister, Dorothy.

Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Kankakee Gospel Assembly in Bourbonnais. 

Interment was at noon Monday, Sept. 13, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

His guestbook can be signed online at www.schrefflerfuneralhomes.com.