Michael Brent Smith (75) of Latona

Michael Brent Smith, age 75, of Latona, Illinois, passed away at 9:00 PM Thursday, September 28, 2023, near his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Eric Bridges and Mike Knepper officiating. Burial will be in the Bailey Cemetery west of Latona, Illinois with military rites by the Jasper Post #20 American Legion. Visitation will be held 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, October 2, 2023, at the funeral home. In loving memory of Mike, memorials may be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here. 

Michael Brent, better known as “Mike,” was born on January 24, 1948, in Effingham, Illinois, the son of Frank Bernard and Evelyn Noreen (Gorrell) Smith. He graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1966. Following high school, Mike was drafted into the United States Army and served his country from 1967 till 1969, during the Vietnam War.

Mike was united in marriage to Drucilla Marshall on August 22, 1970, at the Bogota Baptist Church, and they recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.

Mike was a building contractor and built many homes throughout the area. His attention to detail and quality construction was known far and wide. He also farmed for many years.

Mike was a member of the Latona Church of Christ. He enjoyed gardening, raising flowers, woodworking, and trips to the creek with the grandkids.

Mike always had a smile and loved to joke around. He was notorious for his sweet tooth and was called the candy man by the kids at church.

Mike is survived by:

Wife of 53 years – Drucilla Smith of Latona, Illinois

Children – Brandon Smith (fiancé Jody Brown) of Noble, Illinois; Melissa (Colin) Colgan of Plainfield, Indiana; Jessica (Adam) Pratt of University City, Missouri; and Nathan Smith of Latona, Illinois

Grandchildren – Evan Schmalshof, Brooklin Thorman, Sophia Colgan, Michael Colgan, Drucilla Pratt, James Pratt, and Marshall Pratt

4 Great Grandchildren

Siblings – Judy (Don) Burnell of Latona, Illinois; Brad (Jeanie) Smith of Greensboro, South Carolina; Jeanne (Bob) Wagner of Newton, Illinois

Brothers and Sisters-in-law - Linda Zuber, Janet (Mike) Hall, Mark (Dana) Marshall, Paul Dale Marshall and Lori Huelskoetter.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Evelyn Smith, stepmother O’Neil Smith, his father and mother-in-law Roy and Patsy Marshall, and brother-in-law Paul Zuber.