- Date Of Birth: April 10, 2009
- Date Of Death: November 4, 2018
- State: Illinois
Ethaniel D. “Bean” Smith, 9, of Salem, passed away Sunday, November 4, 2018 after a courageous battle with DIPG, a very rare form of cancer. Bean was born April 10, 2009 in Mt. Vernon, IL, the son of Danielle Smith.
Bean is survived by his three brothers: Caileb Smith of Salem, Remington Hilderbrand of Salem, and Zackery Hilderbrand of Johnsonville; two sisters: Bethanie Wagoner of Salem, and Alia Hilderbrand of Johnsonville; father: Tye Donley of Salem; maternal grandparents: Cindy K. Webb and husband Randy of Salem; great grandparents: Judy Smith of Salem, Loretta Smith and husband Morris of Kell, and Mary Webb of Salem; great-great grandmother: Ruth Johnson of Herrin; paternal grandparents: Debra French and Stacey Easley of Iuka, and Oren Donley of Salem; three aunts: Jada Webb of Salem, Shaunna Winterhalter and husband Brian of Salem, and Kimbera Donley and Ricky Bolen of Keyesport; one uncle: Kyle Webb of Salem; two special uncles: Taylor Featherston and wife Ashley of Salem, and Anthony Slover of Salem; special friends: Christina Hays and husband Jason and hcmchildren of Salem, Patty Featherston and husband Kenny of Salem, Jayda Hempen of Salem, and Shawn Woodward and wife Jenny of Salem; also surviving is a host of cousins.
Bean will join those who passed before him, including two great uncles: Ed Webb and John Lee Smith; one aunt: Natauchia Donley; three great-great uncles: Mike Smith, Randall Smith, and Ronnie Dean Pitts. Bean was thankful for everything the Salem Fire Department did for him and his family. He had many different biker friends and family, that fought along his side. Ethaniel was a fun loving typical nine-year-old boy. Yes, he did have cancer but, cancer did not have him. Ethaniel was always one to put a smile on your face. He could make anyone laugh and he had such a contagious laugh. Ethaniel in his free time enjoyed being outside. He would either be fishing, riding his aunt Jada’s four-wheeler, or typical boy things that involved getting dirty.
Also, being a typical boy Ethaniel did not like going to school to learn but, to see his friends Trey, L.T., and Carter just to name a few, but he had many. Ethaniel also loved the support he received from his teachers Mrs. Ramos, Mrs. Maxey, Mrs. Z, Mrs. Albertson and the rest of the staff from Hawthorn and Franklin Park schools.
