LaVerne M. Smith, 81, of Esmond, IL passed away April 4, 2011 at the Provena Cor Mariae Center in Rockford, IL. LaVerne was born May 27, 1929 in Ashton, IL the son of John and Violet (Gittleson) Smith. He married Dorothy Jones on Feb, 16, 1952 at the Methodist Church in DeKalb, IL. LaVerne was a Farmer for 30 years in the Esmond Area. He also worked for Johnson Concrete in Dekalb, prior to farming. He was a member of the Esmond United Methodist Church and past member of Lions Club. LaVerne was preceded in death by one grandson: Nathan Smith.

Survived by his wife: Dorothy; son: Brian (Mary) Smith of Monroe Center, IL; Daughters: Jody (Ed) Weidman of Downers Grove, IL and Diane (Fiancé, Scott MacLaren) Weiland of Rockford, IL; Brothers Galen (Glenna) Smith and Lyle (Marcia) Smith both of DeKalb, IL and Richard Smith of Rochelle; sister: Donna Gifford of Rockford, IL.
7 grandchildren: Brooke and Zachary Weidman, Nicole and Kyle Weiland, Phil and Joshua Smith, and Logan (Jacob) Hobby.

Funeral services will be held Thursday April 7th at 10:30, at Esmond United Methodist Church, with visitation on Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM at Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St. Rochelle, IL. In lieu of flowers family has requested Memorials be made to Esmond United Methodist Church or Lions Center For The Blind.