Matthew Brian Smith

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Matthew Brian Smith, age 48, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 at 4:09 p.m. in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Matt was born on Aug. 17, 1962 in Godfrey, Ill., a son to John Franklin and Helen (Stade) Smith. On July 7, 2005, he married Crystal Schimpf in Pinckneyville, Ill. and she survives. Matt was employed at General Cable in Du Quoin, Ill. where he worked as a machine operator for 25 years. He was a member of the Du Quoin Jaycees and Pinckneyville Moose Lodge #930. Matt enjoyed riding motorcycles and loved sports, especially softball. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Matt is survived by his wife, Crystal Smith of Pinckneyville, Ill.; mother, Helen Smith of Fosterburg, Ill.; six children, Brian Smith of Wausau, Wis., Ryan Smith of Du Quoin, Ill., Christopher Smith of San Diego, Calif., Jamie Smith of Willisville, Ill., Alicia Lawrence of Murphysboro, Ill. and Brandon (Meghann) Lawrence of Du Quoin, Ill.; five brothers and one sister, Steven (Gayla Kay) Smith of Pinckneyville, Ill., Johnny Dale Smith of Fosterburg, Ill., Lisa Zimmer of Nashville, Ill., Timothy Paul Smith of Du Bois, Ill., Joe Smith of Marion, Ill. and Bruce Smith of Fosterburg, Ill.; seven grandchildren and many dear friends,

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services were held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Bro. Rob Mathis officiating. Interment was in Concord Baptist Cemetery, Rice, Ill.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.