Lucile E. Smeja

Lucile E. Smeja, 87, of Bensenville, passed away in Rockford onnbsp; May 21, 2007 at home surrounded by her loving family.nbsp; Born August 2, 1919 in Montevideo, MN the daughter of James and Sarah (Sturgeon) Turner.nbsp; She graduated from Bensenville High School in 1937. Lucile married William F. Smeja on August 10, 1940, in Elmhurst, IL.nbsp; He predeceased her in October 1997.nbsp; She was also predeceased by her sister Mildred Stellman and her daughter Gayle Jean Krase.nbsp; Lucile and Bill owned Suburban Well Drilling Company from 1946-1966 and Nordic Investment Corp from 1966 until 2000 when at the age of 80 she retired. nbsp;The corporation is now successfully operated by her five remaining children with the corporate office in Rockford. nbsp;In grade school she formed friendships which were to last a lifetime.nbsp; They sustained her throughout her years of marriage, work and children and she remained a loyal, fun loving friend.nbsp; She served on the Womens Auxiliary Board of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, bowled, golfed and was the favorite dance partner of her husband Bill.nbsp; She became a real estate broker and together, she and Bill bought and sold properties throughout northern Illinois.nbsp; Survivors include her children James (Cheryl) Smeja Mineral Point, WI., Jill (Lino) Gnesda, Rockford, IL.,nbsp; Bonnie (Paul Norehad ) Smeja, Robert (Deborah) Smeja, Naples, FL., and Kim (Steve Schlieper) Smeja, Oregon, IL., grandchildren David Krase, Robert Eversman, and Kathy Thompson, great-grandchildren Sarah and Jessica Thompson, niece Garnet (Spiro) Manusos, St. James City, FL, Douglas (Bonnie) Norwood, Valerie (Andy) Jarrell, Eric Norwood, and Barbara (Bob) Norwood, Diane Haltom, Joe (Linda) Mattox, and John Mattox.nbsp; Many friends, business associates, customers and wait-staff had their day brightened by her presence and her yokes. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 25, 2007 at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1009 S. Church Rd. (one block North of Grand Ave.), Bensenville, ILnbsp; 60106. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Thursday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, ILnbsp; 61108. Visitation will continue on Friday in Immanuel United Church of Christ in Bensenville from 10-10:45 a.m. nbsp;Burial is in Churchville Cemetery across the street from the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Salvation Army of Rockford C/O Memorial Donations, P.O. Box 4159, Rockford, ILnbsp; 61110. Express online condolences at www.Fitzgeraldfh.com