Ewing Oneal "Neal" Smith, age 86, of Maryville, IL, born February 5, 1939 in Trigg County, Ky, passed away peacefully on May 15th, 2025 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

Neal grew up in Hopkinsville, KY where he worked on his family's farm with his father, mother and four siblings. He did everything from milking cows to stripping tobacco and curing it in their barn, which he always said was the hardest job he ever had. He graduated from South Christian High School in 1956. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing Pony League baseball and was a member of the 4H Club where he won several livestock awards.

Neal met his future wife, Betty Carolyn Smith (nee Proffitt), in 1967 when his sister set them up on a blind date. They married five months later, on July 14, 1967, and spent the next 57 plus years building a wonderful life together. He was the public works director of Maryville, IL and would later retire from the City of Troy in 2003 as a water plant operator. During retirement, he and Betty took many guided bus tours across the United States and made friends from New Mexico to Cape Cod.

He was a member of Good Shephard Lutheran Church, Gideons International, volunteered with Lutheran Braille Workers Inc, was a past member of Teamsters Local 688, started the Granite City Moose Lodge softball team in the early 1970's, and was a proud member of the Glen Carbon Tuesday morning Hardee's Breakfast Club.

His favorite hobby was playing golf; but, even more, watching golf Thursday through Sunday. He loved spending time with his family, taking many trips to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN, and always looked forward to trips to Hopkinsville for Christmas. His love for the Lord spanned his entire life through volunteering and multiple mission trips. Neal will be remembered for his jovial personality, a smile that would light up a room, his big hugs, and his willingness to help anyone in need. He will be forever remembered by his family and friends.

Neal is survived by his wife, Betty; one son: Christopher Shane Smith (Susie Owens); two sisters: Eva Glenn Hargis (Bobby) and Patsy Elaine Henderson; one brother: Charles Rufus "Tommy" (Mary) Smith as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents: John Ewing and Esther Mae (nee Pryor) Smith; sister, Bobby Killebrew Combs; brother-in-law, Charlie Henderson; nephew, Alan Hargis; niece, Julie Mutter, and stepmother, Melva Smith (nee Harris).

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 20th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Barry Wilson Funeral Home 2800 North Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.

Funeral service will follow at 5:00 pm

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nursing staff at Anderson Hospital and VITAS Healthcare for their compassion and exceptional care.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Good Shephard Lutheran Church or VITAS Hospice and will be received at the visitation, or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home 2800 North Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062