Obituaries

Douglas Oster Smith, of Elgin, IL, passed peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday July 13, 2021.  He was born in Fort Wayne, IN on December 21, 1942. He graduated from South Side High School in Fort Wayne before enrolling at Purdue University, where he earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering.

His passion for engineering led him to a long career in manufacturing and management.  His career led him to opportunities around the globe with a handful of industry leading organizations (General Electric, Black & Decker, Sunbeam-Oster, Tempel Steel, Dayton Progress).  His initial work with GE brought him to Philadelphia where he met the love of his life, Patricia Hession.  They wed in Philadelphia on May 7, 1966.  Doug and Pat were a dynamic duo and true love story who complemented each other famously.  Married for 55years, they did everything together, including raising three boys while living and working overseas for 8years in Tokyo, Japan and Singapore.

Nothing was more important to Doug, affectionately known as “Pop”, than family.  He championed education, loved coaching little league, enjoyed being Mr fix-it, and always gave of himself to help others.  He was a true joy to all and a burden to none.

Douglas is survived by his wife, Patricia Smith of Elgin, IL; three sons Douglas H. Smith and his wife Stefanie of Copley, OH; Daniel H. Smith and his wife Victoria of South Elgin, IL; Scott H. Smith of Houston, TX;  Six grandchildren, Douglas S, Rebecca, Eleanor, Nathan of Copley, OH, and Grace, Claire of South Elgin, IL; his sister Evelyn Smith Beam of Commerce Township, MI; his brother David William Smith of Rochester, IN; sister-in-laws Elaine Godsey, Joanne Lennon, Virga Smith, Margaret Hession; brother in-law Robert Hession;  and several nieces and nephews: Scott B., Karen V, Lori, Cathy, Michael, Karen S, Jimmy, Johnny, Krissy, Trish, Billy, Michael, Marc, Jessica, Joanna, Bobby, Staci, Megan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alberta Valentine Schwartz Smith and Chester Brockman Smith; brothers-in-law Bradl;ey Beam, William Lennon, James Godsey; one niece Sylvia Beam; grandparents Amelia Oster Schwartz, Albert Schwartz, Emma Brockman Smith, Finley Smith.

A memorial service will be held on Friday July 16, 2021 from 3-5pm at the Yurs Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, St. Charles, IL. Visitation from 3-4:30pm with a short ceremony following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

For further information please call Yurs Funeral Home 630-584-0060 or www.yursfuneralhomes.com