Hunter Thomas Smith

Hunter Thomas Smith (Photo courtesy: Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home)

HUDSON – Hunter Thomas Smith, 22, of Normal, passed away at 5:12 a.m., Sunday, July 7 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria surrounded by his family.

His funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 11 at the Hudson Baptist Church, 312 Walnut St., Hudson, IL with Rev. Anet Satvedi officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington.

Donations can be made to the Fragile X Foundation and MarcFirst to support future research for individuals like Hunter and to honor is memory.

Hunter was born March 19, 1997 to Cindy Wegner and Jeff Smith.

He is survived by his mother Cindy (Andy) Wegner; his father, Jeff Smith; a brother, Tristan Smith; two sisters, Brittany Sorensen and Natalie Wegner; maternal grandfather and grandmother, Thomas and Joan Muelleman; and paternal grandfather, Louis McCain.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother Beverly McCain

Hunter was born with Fragile X Syndrome, which unbeknownst to Hunter’s family at the time, would change everyone’s lives for the better, and lead to years of laughter and adventure. Hunter brought joy everywhere he went and could bring a smile to anyone’s face. He loved going to his grandma’s house and playing his Nintendo. He loved spending time with his parents and siblings, and going for rides in the car. Everywhere he went, he could never forget his Pooh Bear, who was always buckled up next to him in the car on any trip, whether it be 5 miles or 50. Hunter loved to be the center of attention, and loved to make everyone laugh if he knew they were watching.

To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…