Smith

Karen Rose Smith, 77, of Carlinville, Ill. and formerly of Gillespie, Ill., passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, May 10, 2024. She was born in Litchfield, Ill., on March 8, 1947 to Karl Jr. and Stella (Turco) Guna. She married Larry Smith on Feb. 7, 1986 and he survives.

Karen graduated from Gillespie High School with the class of 1965. She was a mother, wife, and homemaker and later worked a few part-time jobs. Karen was a member of the Federated Church in Carlinville, where she was a deacon and served over the years on the Federated Board, Finance and Building, and Grounds Committees. Karen is a past First Lady of the Illinois Elks Association, where she assisted her husband Larry, when he was Illinois Elks State President during 2012-2013. Karen enjoyed gardening and her beloved pets in her life.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Elise (David) Schwartz, Carlinville; son, Dan (Kate) Katich, Batavia, Ill .; Aunt, Frieda Miller (Marvin), Summerville, S.C .; two step-daughters, Michelle Smith (friend Scott Fillback), Gillespie and Lori (Wayne) Heinke, Bay City, Texas; stepson, Larry (Andrea) Smith, Swansea, Ill .; five grandchildren, Colleen (Ryan) Cash, Indianapolis, Ind., Jake Schwartz, Carlinville, Caroline Katich, Adam Katich and Meredith Katich, all from Batavia; ten step-grandchildren, Gretchen (Brett) Hall, Warsaw, Ind .; Anna (Wally) Wallace, Staunton, Thomas (Andrea) Balestri, Boston, Mass., Aleisha (Josh) Balestri-Pittenger, Downer’s Grove, Ill., Kyrsten (Grayson) Essy and Courtney Waldrum from Alton, Ill., Jesse (Heather) Profaizer from Richmond, Texas, Nicolas Smith and Catherine Smith from Swansea, Ill, and Derek (Alison) Schwartz, St. Louis, Mo .; ten step-great-grandchildren; three nieces and one nephew also survive.

Karen was preceded in death by her father Karl Guna, Jr .; her mother, Stella Sawyer; her step-father, Danny Sawyer; and her brother, Ronnie Guna Sawyer.

Visitation was held on Monday, May 13, at the Federated Church in Carlinville. Interment and graveside services followed at Mayfield Memorial Park. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the Macoupin County Animal Shelter located at 21640 State Route 4 in Carlinville, Ill., 62626 or the Federated Church located at 122 E. 2nd South St. in Carlinville under Karen's name. To leave online condolences please visit http://www.kravanyafuneral.com.