Donald Eugene Smith

January 28, 1957 - March 2, 2018

Donald Eugene Smith, 61, of Columbia (formerly of Bluffs), passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, March 2, 2018, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis from complications following heart surgery. Don was born on Jan. 28, 1957, the eldest child of Robert Lee and Dorothy Ann Smith. He married Lanette Pease (now Goldsboorough) on April 5, 1980. They later divorced. The union produced no children. Don is survived by his mother of Woodson; brothers, Kevin (wife, Areila) of Twinsburg, OH and Allen of Woodson; sisters, Cheri of Woodson and Kelly (wife Lesa) of Columbia, MO; nephews, Austin of Villa Grove and Schuyler of Columbia, MO; and niece, Ashlynn of Villa Grove. Don was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, and various aunts, uncles and cousins. Don graduated from Bluffs High School in 1974 and attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale, receiving multiple degrees. He later attended the University of Illinois Springfield, receiving a degree in Medical Technology. Don worked construction for several years and then was a medical technician for several years at St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Hospital in Springfield. Most recently, he worked for the American Red Cross in Columbia. Due to his illness, Don was not currently able to work. For most of Don’s life, he battled a rare form of hepatitis, leading eventually to a liver transplant on July 20, 1989. He was proud that the gift he received served him well for 28 years. Per Don’s wishes, his body was donated for medical research. A memorial service will be held Saturday, 10:00 a.m. July 28, 2018, at the Daws Family Funeral Home in Bluffs. There will be a reception after the service until noon at the funeral home.