Benjamin Harold Smith

PONTIAC, IL - Benjamin Harold Smith, 57, of Pontiac, Ill., and formerly of Rochester, Ill., died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2014, at St. James Medical Center in Pontiac.

Ben was born Sept. 2, 1957, the youngest son of Grover and Katherine Smith. He was a graduate of Rochester High School.

Ben enlisted in the U.S. Army and served four years, two in Germany. Upon his discharge, Ben received his AD in Criminal Justice from Lincoln Land Community College. He worked with the Dept. of Corrections at Pontiac State Prison for many years.

Ben was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his mother Katherine; brothers, George (Anne) of Taylorville and James (Sue) of Bethlehem, Pa.; a sister, Mary Camille of Columbia, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Jan. 16 at Camp Butler with the Rev. David Upchurch officiating. Military honors will be provided by Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.

Memorials may be made to: The Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County or The American Cancer Society .

Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Rochester, IL 62563, is in charge of arrangements.