SMITH, HAROLD E.
Harold Eugene Smith passed away, peacefully, at Trinity West Medical Center in Rock Island, Illinois, on Monday evening, November 7, 2005 with his family at his side. He was 84 years old.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Thursday at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline. Burial is in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline, where the Colona American Legion will conduct Military Honors. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2005 at the funeral home.
Harold, the son of Roy and Flossie Loring Smith, was born on April 4, 1921 in Rushville, Illinois. At age 17, he served two years in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Pekin, Illinois. He received his G. E. D. from Canton High School in 1951.
Forever proud of his military service, Harold served four years in the United States Marine Corps, serving 32 months in the South Pacific during World War II.
Harold married Ellen Hokana on January 8, 1946, in Las Vegas. They made their home in Illinois. Harold and Ellen built their home in Green Rock, Illinois (now called Colona), and raised three boys there. Active in the beginnings of local city life, Harold served as alderman of Green Rock for 4 years and later served as mayor of the City of Green Rock, Illinois from 1963 -1967. While Harold served as mayor, the city voted to install its water system and also obtained a lease from the Arsenal for the Hennipin Canal Park. Harold was proud to serve on the committee that started the first Little League ball club in Green Rock, and was this group’s first president.
Harold helped form the American Legion Post #1233, where he was a member for 51 years. He was also a member of Clement Lodge #680, Eastern Star #626, the Marine Corps League – Lincoln Detachment, and AARP. He enjoyed attending the “Gung Ho Gang” World War II and Korean War veteran breakfasts at the Village Inn in Bettendorf, Iowa.
Harold was employed by International Harvester in East Moline for 40 years, last employed in the Test Engineering Department, for 30 years, as a field mechanic. While his job took him far away from home for months at a time, his expertise was evident in the progress of International Harvester’s development of farming combines.
Harold started to play golf at age 60, and he also loved to play euchre. He enjoyed reading, camping vacations with his family, and talking about the war. He followed his sports teams with vigor – enjoying the Illini and the Bears, and he was a die-hard Cubs fan.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ellen; his three sons, Ronald of Alexandria, Virginia; Ken and his wife Ginny of Glendale Heights, Illinois; Richard and his wife Linda of Traverse City, Michigan. Harold leaves 4 grandchildren: Kristopher Smith, Karie Skipper, Katie Wieschowski and Jackie Smith; and 5 great-grandchildren: Alex Kristopher Smith, Julia Margaret Smith, Joshua Scott Wieschowski, Kai Hannah Wieschowski and Timothy Jacob Skipper. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and his sister.
To honor Harold’s life, donations may be made to the Colona Fire Dept, the Twin Rivers Little League Ball Club, or the charity of your choice.