George E. Smith Jr.

George E. Smith Jr., 86, of Waterloo, IL, formerly of Millstadt, IL, entered the kingdom of heaven April 15, 2026, in Waterloo, IL. He was born June 14, 1939, in Belleville, IL.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Jeanette Marie Smith (nee Acker); children George E. (Sharon) Smith, Denise (David) Read, & Allison Englander (Mike McNamee); grandchildren Nathan Read, Matthew Read, Claire Englander, Chloe Englander; sister Rita Fournie; brothers-in-law Todd (Rosie) Keller and Richard (Uta) Acker; sister-in-law Darlene Burzynski; nieces; nephews; and cousins.

George is preceded in death by his parents George E. and Anita (nee Lengfelder) Smith; and sisters Carol Keller and Audrey Frierdich.

He was a current member of SS Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo, IL and former longtime member of St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt, IL. He graduated from Cathedral High School prior to his years of dedicated service at Great Lakes Carbon Corporation. He enjoyed his family, playing his trumpet, traveling, and his home.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:
SS Peter and Paul Church - Waterloo, IL

Visitation:
11 AM to 1:30 PM Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL

Funeral Mass:
2 PM Saturday, April 18, 2026 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo, IL
      Father Marvin Volk officiating
Interment will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Belleville, IL