Irene Evelyn Smith (92) of Altamont

Irene Evelyn (Grobengieser) Smith, 92, of Altamont, formerly of rural Mason, passed away at 11:05 p.m. Sat., Nov. 26, 2022, at HSHS Saint John's Hospital in Springfield. 

She was born Dec. 24, 1929, on the family farm between Altamont and St. Elmo in Effingham County, the daughter of Edwin Christian Martin Grobengieser and Alma Friederiche Wilhelmina (Ferchow) Grobengieser. She married David Warren Smith on Jan. 21, 1948, in Altamont, and after 51 years of marriage he preceded her in death on July 19, 1999.

Grateful to have shared her life are her children, David Smith and wife Ruth Ann (Heimgartner) of Altamont, Ruth Ann (Smith) Farris of Toledo, and Gina (Smith) Moulder and husband Robert “Bob” of Centralia; eight grandchildren, James Farris and wife Peggy (Craig) of Mattoon, Travis Farris of Morton, Katherine Smith of Gainesville, Fla., Charles Farris and fiancée Elizabeth "Liz" Kopp of Toledo, Andrew Smith and wife Elizabeth “Liz” (Wahl) of East Dundee, Lucas Moulder, Samuel Moulder, and Adam Moulder, all of Centralia; a brother, Arlin Grobengieser and wife Lillian (Wolff) of rural St. Elmo; brother-in-law: Lloyd Smith of Mt. Zion; two step-grandchildren, Jeff Farris and Sharon Kay (Farris) Bass, both of Mattoon; great-grandchildren, Travis "TJ" Farris and Ivette Farris both of Mattoon, and Hunter Smith of East Dundee; several step-great-grandchildren, step-great-great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. 

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Linda Lou Smith; brother, Kenneth Grobengieser; sons-in-law, William Helmbacher and Charles Farris Sr.; step-grandchildren, Karen Farris and Eddie Farris; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marie (Smith) Bannick, Earl Smith and wife Shirley (Wright), Evelyn (Smith) Clagg and husband Charles, Nadine (Smith) Antonides and husband Lee, Maxine (Smith) Belinski and husband Frank, Mary Ann (Herron) Smith, and Hubert Smith and wife Bernadine "Bunny" (Coleman).

Irene was a life-long member of Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of America on Route 40 in Altamont, where she was baptized Dec. 29, 1929, and confirmed her faith March 29, 1942. Hard work and a strong faith where part of her daily family life.

An accomplished seamstress, Irene enjoyed hand-quilting, embroidery work, and making quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. She served on the St. Paul quilting group, In Stitches, since 1995 and enjoyed making the many tied or knotted quilts that they made and donated locally and around the world. 

In their earlier years, Irene and her husband Warren owned and operated Irene’s Eggs and a phosphate business. She was a homemaker and a farmwife and also worked at Fedders Air Conditioning in Effingham from 1966 to 1995. She also enjoyed gardening and all kinds of fancy work, but most of all she enjoyed time spent with her friends and family. While she was small of stature, she was big in her faith, positivity, and humor, and had a quick wit and an amazing memory that will be fondly remembered.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 4, at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Route 40 west of Altamont with Pastor Maria Bonine officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, December 3, at Kull Funeral Home in Altamont, and from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Smith’s honor may be made to In Stitches or St. Paul ELCA Cemetery, Lutheran Care Center, or Jonah's Fostering Christmas One Toy at a Time and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent online to the family by clicking here.