- Date Of Birth: July 14, 1951
- Date Of Death: January 5, 2015
- State: Illinois
Claire Marie Smith, 63, of Centralia, IL, passed away Monday, January 5 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. She was born July 14, 1951 in Danville, IL daughter of Herbert S. Fecker, Sr., and Alice Senger.
She married John Marlow Smith on December 29, 1980, in Virginia Beach, Va. In addition to her husband of 34 years, she is survived by a son Joseph Simon Smith and Rachael Foltz of Belleville, Il.; two brothers, Herbert S. Fecker Jr.and Dwila Fecker of Valrico, Fla., and Ernest Joseph Fecker and Linda Fecker of Hoopston, Il. and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters Fran Fecker Gijsen and Mary Ann Schendel.
Claire worked for 28 years in the Vocational Rehabilitation field in various capacities. She retired from employment with the State of Illinois Division of Rehab Services as a Rehab Services Advisor. Claire was an active member of the National Rehab Association and also the Illinois Rehab Association where she served faithfully in many offices. She served as President, Board member, and Secretary (multiple terms) in the IRA. She was also an active team member helping to organize and oversee many conferences and workshops. Claire was awarded the Jackie Hanbeck Award for outstanding work for people with disabilities.
In retirement, Claire began to work as a consultant with the Community Resource Center to help them develop a new program to foster employment within the community for the mentally disabled. She became indispensable in that effort and lived to see the program achieve a successful beginning. She attended the First Baptist Church in Centralia where she sang in the choir and volunteered at many church functions throughout the years. She was a long-time registered trained adult leader with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venture Scouts, having received the highest recognition a volunteer can be awarded for outstanding service to Scouting, community, and church, The Silver Beaver Award. Claire also received other recognitions at the District Level of Scouting. Claire volunteered as a member of the Boy Scout Council Training Team for training adults to take youth onto High Adventure activities. She repeatedly worked as an adult leader in Boy Scouts taking youth on High Adventure activities and also was a valuable Venture Advisor escorting Co-ed Venture Scouts on High Adventure backpacking and canoeing treks. She worked tirelessly as a Leader/ Advisor in scouting to help train youth patrols to build the skills required to organize and lead themselves. She strongly believed in the values of Scouting. Backpacking was her very favorite adventure with cycling a close second. She made the most of her time with her family and especially her mother-in-law, Helen Chapman whom she loved much.
