Jerry Smith

Jerry Smith, 84, of Robinson, IL, passed away on March 7, 2026, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, IN. Born on November 7, 1941, in Crawford County, IL, Jerry was a son of this community through and through. He grew up here, and in many ways, never lost the spirit that often comes from a life shaped by small towns, hard work, and familiar places. That spirit stayed with him throughout the years, whether life found him in Hutsonville, Lawrenceville, Terre Haute, or, in the end, back to the familiarity of Robinson. Along the way, Jerry built a life marked by honest labor. He worked for Labor Union #1280 for nearly twenty-five years, and that kind of work says something about a man. It speaks to both his grit and his willingness to show up and do what needed to be done. Jerry was a hard worker, plain and simple, and he took his work seriously.

But Jerry was never only serious, as he had a playful side, too. He was a jokester, the kind of man who could bring a smile, lighten the mood, and make life a little more fun for the people around him. This would become one of the qualities that drew Sharon Lullo to him in the first place. On September 25, 1981, the two were married, and together they built a life that wasn't flashy, but full. Theirs was a deep, deep love, the kind that showed itself not so much in grand displays as in simple, everyday closeness. They were always by each other's side.

That companionship carried them into the kinds of places and traditions that became part of their shared life together. Jerry loved going to flea markets and festivals with Sharon, especially the Covered Bridge Festival. They began attending in 1992 and returned almost every year after that. It was one of those rhythms that became part of who they were together, a simple joy, repeated over time, that became something lasting.

Home for Jerry was also made sweeter by the things he treasured in everyday life. He loved his dogs and clearly had a soft spot for them, finding companionship in Tiffany and Riley. He was also a marble collector, which feels fitting for a man who could appreciate the charm of small things. That was Jerry in a nutshell. He did not need life to be extravagant to enjoy it. He found happiness in laughter, in shared adventures with Sharon, in familiar traditions, and in little treasures others might overlook. Those ordinary joys became the threads of a life well lived, and they are part of what will make his memory so dear to those he leaves behind.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sharon Smith; by several nieces and nephews, including his special nephew, Steve Smith; his dogs, Tiffany and Riley; and his special friends at Sugarcreek Crossing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde & Velda (Matheney) Smith; by his brothers, Cecil Smith, Don Smith, and Fred Smith; and by his sisters, Linda Fox, Kathryn Kendall, and Nina McIntosh.

He is to be cremated, and his remains will be buried in the Tohill Cemetery at a later date. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is assisting the family at this time.