Merle C. Smith

	Merle C. Smith, age 78, of Pinckneyville, formerlyof the Marissa area, died Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at his residence.
	Merle was born in Pinckneyville on January 12, 1924, the son of Glen Lavern and Inez (Zoller) Smith.  He was united in Marriage to Vera Heine on September 28, 1943 in East St. Louis and she preceded him in death in 1996.  Merle was a retired coal miner, having worked in the Freeburg Peabody Riverking Mine.  He attended the Clarmin Baptist Church and more recently the Matthews Baptist Church south of Pinckneyville.  Merle was a member of the UMWA and enjoyed hunting, fishing, yard work and traveling.
	Merle is survived by one son, Danny Smith and wife Melissa of Marissa; one daughter, Cindy Seiber nad husband Daniel, also of Marissa; two brothers, Melvin E. Smith of Willisville and Jim Smith of Du Quoin; one sister, Eileen Craig and husband Douglas of Steeleville; eight grandchildren;  several great-grandchildren and a special friend, Ruth Dempsay of Pinckneyville.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, two sons, Larry and Roy Dean; two brothers, Clifford and Mical Smith and a brother and sister in infancy.
	Friends called at the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home, Pinckneyvile, on Thursday evening, December 19  from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Friday morning from 8 a.m. until services.
	Funeral services were held on Friday at 1 p.m. in the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, with Rev. Wilbur Franklin officiating.  Interment was in the Galum Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Pinckneyville.
	Memorials may be made to the Matthews Baptist Church.
