Ellen Ruth Smith, 81, of Fillmore, died on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at Hillsboro Area Hospital’s emergency room.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, at Miller Funeral Home in Vandalia. Visitation will also be held on Monday, Oct. 10, one hour prior to the service, which will begin at 10 a.m. at Northside Christian Church in Vandalia, with Pastor Dennis Warner officiating. Burial will follow at Edgewood Cemetery in Edgewood. Miller Funeral Home in Vandalia is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Smith was born on Sept. 30, 1941, in Nokomis, the daughter of Edgar Ray and Grace (Pope) Smalley-Presnell. She married James Leotis Smith on Sept. 21, 1985, in Vandalia, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 23, 2017. She worked at Western Union, Fillmore Cafe and was a homemaker. Mrs. Smith was a member of Northside Christian Church in Vandalia. In her free time she enjoyed reading, adult coloring books, gospel music concerts and gardening. She loved spending time with her family, pets and church family.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her sons, Richard (Shelly) Haslett of Waggoner, David Haslett of Fillmore, Kenneth Haslett of Coffeen, Jerry Haslett of Fillmore and Joseph (Stephanie) Haslett of Witt; daughter, Michele (Greg) Beck of Fillmore; step-children, Janet Smith, Cheryl (Doug) Dykstra of Florida, Sandy Jacko of Wisconsin and James Smith of Indiana; grandchildren, Michael, David, Austin, Samantha, Sarah, Cheyenne, and Mikey; great-grandchild, Elaina; brother, Paul (Twila) Presnell of Nokomis; sister, Betty Shermer of Lancaster, PA; and sister-in-law Faye Smalley of Nokomis.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; step-father, Ernest Presnell; son, Robert Haslett; brothers, Ray and Robert Smalley; sisters, Lois Walbring and Jean Fieberg; and aunt, Rachel Pope.
Memorials may be directed to the family. Condolences may be left online at www.millerfh.net.
