Charlene A. Smith's Obituary
Charlene Ann Smith, 71 years, of Waterloo, IL, passed away on January 19, 2022 at her home.
She was born August 19, 1950, in Red Bud at St. Clement's Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Ernst H., and Elda C., nee Buch, Salger. Charlene grew up in Horse Prairie and attended Trinity Lutheran School followed by Red Bud high School where she graduated in 1968. She married to Lenox C. Smith, Jr. in Red Bud in October of 1994 and they settled in their home in Waterloo.
She began her lifelong devotion to Trinity Lutheran Church when she was baptized on September 10, 1950. Charlene loved to travel and explore the world visiting historic monuments and festivals in new places. Among her travels were Australia, Germany and all 50 states. She enjoyed spending time with her fellow red hatters in the Red Hat Society visiting the local tea houses. Charlene was an active member of the Handbell Choir at Trinity Lutheran Church and loved to spend time painting and crafting. After a long career at Red Bud Regional Hospital in Red Bud she retired in 2018 from BJC Healthcare, Charlene spent her days with Lenox tending to plants and enjoying the birds from their home in Waterloo.
Surviving are her husband Lenox C. Smith, Jr of Waterloo, sister, Shirley (John) Meyer of Lake Saint Louis, MO; three brothers, Kenneth (Lisa) Salger of Red Bud, Dennis (Shelley) Salger of Red Bud, and David (Jean) Salger of Red Bud, numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, along with other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be on Monday, January 24, 2022, from 9 am to 11 am, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Prairie, IL. Services will be held at the church at 11:00 am, following the visitation, with Pastor Scott Hojnacki officiating. Interment will follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Leesman Funeral Home in Red Bud.
Memorial donations are suggested to: Trinity Lutheran Church/ Handbell Choir- Prairie, 10235 S. Prairie Rd., Red Bud, IL 62278 . For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
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