Benjamin Smitherman

Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Smitherman, 84, of Winthrop Harbor, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at home. He was born June 12, 1923 in Aberdeen, Mississippi and came to Zion in the early 1950's. He was a longtime member of First Church of the Nazarene in Waukegan and later was a member of Christian Life Fellowship in Antioch. He retired in 1985 from Johns-Manville in Waukegan after 35 years. Frank also served overseas as a Medic with the United States Army during World War II. Survivors include his wife, Leona; children Esther Watkins of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Liz (Bob) Johnson of Winthrop Harbor and Jerry Smitherman of Irvine, California; four step-children Jim (Judy) Lindsey of New Hampshire, David Lindsey of Guin, Alabama and LeEtta Workman and Kathy Lindsey both of Winthrop Harbor; three grandchildren Denise Johnston of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mike Johnson of DesPlaines, Illinois and Teresa Maass of Spring Hill, Tennessee; two great-grandchildren Andrew and Jenna Johnston both of Kalamazoo, Michigan; seven step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and four sisters Grace Cox and Hazel Reese, both of Prairie, Mississippi, Julie Brown of Wildomar, California and Susie Gregory of Raleigh, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Esther Ruth Smitherman (nee Young) in November of 1992; siblings John Woody Smitherman, Charlie Smitherman, Thomas Smitherman, Celia Jordan, Maude Huffman and Margie Smitherman; and his parents Lee and Maggie Smitherman. Visitation will be Friday, July 27, 2007, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 28th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Brussaly of Christian Life Fellowship officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion.