Charles E. Smreker Sr, 88, Hillsboro
Charles E. Smreker Sr., 88, of Hillsboro, died Aug. 2, 2021, in Hillsboro. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He and his brother co-founded Arnold Ready Mix in 1963, and in 1969, Mr. Smreker moved to the Hillsboro area where he lived until his death. He also was co-founder of Eureka Materials and H Sand and Gravel. He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Hillsboro, the Knights of Columbus 6401 in Hillsboro, Elks Lodge 689 in DeSoto, Amvets Post 48 in De Soto and the Hillsboro Community Civic Club. Born July 6, 1933, in Hartman Ark., he was the son of the late Henry J and Mary E. (Wamister) Smreker.
He is survived by his wife: Frances E. “Jean” Key of Hillsboro, whom he married in September 1957 in St. Louis. He also is survived by three sons: Charles E. “Chuck” (Mary “Chris”) Smreker of De Soto, Richard D. Smreker of Chesterfield and Mark S. (Christine Bruce) Smreker of Hillsboro; a daughter: Mary Susan Smreker of Hillsboro; 14 grandchildren: Christyn D. (Jeff) Sweeney, Michael J. (Ellisa) Bradford, Charla J. (Tyson) Duvall, Addison G., Justice, Taylor, Easton and Shelby Smreker, Anthony R. "TJ” (Cassie) Smreker Jr., Kailey (Josh) Davis, and Mary, Joseph, Teresa and John Smreker-Bruce; 17 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Kaden, Carlie, Zach, Tristen, Kaleb, Mikayla, Angie, Bri, Bryce, Ryan, Jacob, Emma, Chloe, Hunter, Gavin and Jasper; and a great-great-grandson: Blake C. Bentley.
He was preceded in death by two sons: Anthony R. “Tony” Smreker Sr. and Thomas W. “Tommy” Smreker; a granddaughter: Rebecca D. “Becky” (Smreker) Sanders; three sisters: Henrietta Kopp, Cecelia Oberstee and Elizabeth Owens; and two brothers: Robert and William Joseph “Billy Joe” Smreker.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral services at 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 7) at the Hillsboro Community Civic Center at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21. Burial will follow at Good Shepherd Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America online at mymsaa.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert D. Brown Funeral Home in Hillsboro.