James R. Smith

James R. Smith, 68, passed away on Tuesday, February. 9, 2010, at home.

Jim was born November 8, 1942, in Metropolis, Illinois, to Izetta Lyndsey and Robert E. Smith.

A Carbondale High School graduate, he enlisted in the Army in 1961 and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, before going overseas. After being discharged, he attended Vocational Technical Institute, earning a degree in mechanics and welding. James worked as a mechanic at various places, including Jim Pearl Automobile Dealership, where he was named “Mechanic of the Year” multiple times. He then worked as a coal miner and retired from Burning Star No. 4 Mine in Cutler, Illinois.

He married Denise Lougeay on Jan. 15, 1989 in Wickliffe, KY.

In the early 1990s, the couple opened Appletown Bakery, Catering, and Deli, where they enjoyed many good times as business owners, providing food and drink to locals in the area and making numerous friends through that endeavor. That business evolved into Connections, a bar and event center.

Jim’s hobbies included hunting and fishing. He was an avid reader and collector of the Louis L’Amour book series. In 2002, the couple moved to Las Vegas, where they enjoyed shows, concerts, fine dining, and the casinos. He enjoyed the Southwestern culture and landscape, and visiting sites such Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon were just a few highlights of his golden years.

Survivors include his son, Jason Smith(d. May 5, 2021) of Murphysboro; daughter, Michelle Fraley (Steve Jines) of Murphysboro; sister, Betty Thate (d. 2021) (Chuck, d. 2022) of Florida; sister, Shirley Koenig (d. 2018), sister Alice Kulenkamp of Gillespie, brother, Richard Smith(d. 2020)(Karla) of Chicago; nieces and nephews Cindy (David) Holt of Murphysboro, Carrie (Roger) Banovz of Carterville, Roy (Cathy) Kulenkamp of Carlinville, Izetta (Jeff) Wiggs of St. Charles, Missouri, Jamie (Dan) Cullen of New Lenox, Illinois, and Sarah (Dan) MacDonald of Indiana

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law Ed Koenig and Pete Kulenkamp.

Jim's life will be celebrated, along with his wife’s, Denise Lougeay, on July 11, 2025 at Southern Cremation and Burial Services, Murphysboro. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by graveside services, with military honors, beginning at 12:00 noon at Murdale Gardens of Memory, Murphysboro.

Ministry of comfort was entrusted to Southern Cremationand Burial Services of Murphysboro, Illinois.