Gerald Smith passed away Sunday evening, March 24, 2013 surrounded by his family and friends. Gerald was born January 23, 1933 in Marshall, IL, the son of Warren Smith and Cecile Sanders Smith. He was a graduate of St. Paul Bible College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He served over 25 years in the ministry having served the Freedom Baptist in Martinsville, IL, Calvary Baptist in Paris, IL, World Missionary Fellowship in Laurel, Nebraska and 13 of those 25 years at the New Hope Church, rural Paris, IL. Gerald also headed a mission in Paris, IL. He was retired from General Motors Co. at Danville, IL. In 1999, Gerald was honored by the Famous Poet Society for a poem he dedicated to his mother. He was published in Coon Hunter's Blood Lines magazine as well wrote two novels. Gerald was an avid hunter of pheasants and mushrooms. He enjoyed woodworking, crafting willow furniture, and vegetable and flower gardening. Gerald loved the Lord and tried each day to read his Bible and live his life as Christ taught. Surviving are his wife, Phyllis Creech Smith; his children, Lois Graffis of Paris, IL, Gerald L. "Vern" Smith of Marshall, IL, Twila (Wayne) Burgess of Neoga, IL, Janice Smith (Eric Pratt) of Paris, IL, Val Smith of Terre Haute, IN, Twon Smith of Marshall, IL; adopted sons, Christopher Smith and Jonathan Smith of Hollister, MO; stepdaughter, Allison (Joe) Winschief of Pensacola, FL; his first wife, Rosa Lee Smith of Marshall, IL; 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren , 2 great great grandchildren; siblings, Harold (Sharon) Smith of Martinsville, IL, Wiley (Ann) Smith of Vero Beach, FL; Lura Wilson of Marshall, IL, Kenneth (Kay) Smith of Marshall, IL and George (Daralea) Smith of Marshall, IL. He was preceded in death by a son, Philip Smith; a grandson, Jared Graffis and a brother-in-law, Don Wilson. Services in honor of his life will be 1:00 PM Friday at New Hope Church, rural Paris, IL with Bros. Dan Helms and Dennis Keefer officiating. Burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Thursday at Pearce Funeral Home in Marshall and also one hour prior services at the church on Friday. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, New Hope Church or to the charity of the donor's choice.