Nobert Smith

Nobert L. Smith, 97, of Rushville, formerly of Brimfield, passed away at 11:35 AM, Thursday, July 12, 2018, at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Quincy.

He was born on August 26, 1920, in Vermont, Illinois, the son of Eugene and Sarah (Gould) Smith. He married Mabel Boyd on August 24, 1942, in Palmyra, Missouri.  She preceded him in death on October 5, 2009.  Also preceding him in death were his parents, an infant daughter Melba Smith, two sisters and nine brothers.

Surviving are two daughters Kathlyn Haut and husband Randall of Beardstown and Barbara Barnes-Amos and husband Gary, Jr. of Wall, South Dakota, two grandsons Douglas Barnes and Gary Amos III, five granddaughters Jacquelyn Semler and husband Sean, Stephanie Norton and husband Jim, Shannon Sarver and husband Rolland, Kimberly Vogelzang and husband Ryan, and Karilyn Crook, six great granddaughters Melanie, Audree, Lynnae, Tara, Maeve, and Remi, seven great grandsons Andrew, Scott, Dustin, Liam, Luke, Joseph, and Camden, and several nieces and nephews.

He attended Fulton County elementary schools and the Vermont High School.  He served in the United States Army in the American Theater as a Med Tech from November 28, 1942 until his discharge as a Corporal in March 10, 1946.  In this capacity he rode the trains that met the ships bringing home the wounded from Europe and accompanied those soldiers to the hospitals nearest their own homes.

Nobert was employed at a variety of construction and farm jobs including some time with his own bulldozer.  He then worked at the Allis Chalmer Dealership in Brimfield as a mechanic for a few years.  He then worked for many years as a mechanic and foreman for Peoria County Highway Department until he retired in 1981.

He was particularly interested in anything mechanical, enjoyed playing dominos and loved to visit and joke with friends.  His great grandchildren all knew him as Papa Arf-Arf because he liked to “bark” at them as they went past.

Services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  A Committal Service will be held at 3:00 PM Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at the Brimfield Township Cemetery, west of Brimfield.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville.  Memorials are suggested to the donor’s local Honor Flight Program.