Curtis 'Smokey' Stover

Curtis ‘Smokey’ Stover, 91, of Highland, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Carlyle Healthcare Center.

Smokey was born December 18, 1933, in Glenmore, Ohio, the son of Paul Revere and Sarah Jane (Jones) Stover. He married Betty Jane Christian, on October 3, 1953, in Alton, IL. They were married 1 day shy of 70 years. She preceded him in death, on October 2, 2023.

Smokey was a family man who took pride in his family and their achievements, he worked hard to provide a good life for them and his wife. He was a storyteller and a jokester who loved to entertain but was never shy about his opinions or sharing his strong beliefs and stood firm in them. He wrote music and played the guitar, was a member of ASCAP, AINAD Shrine Club member of East St. Louis and Oklahoma, and a past Master of Pocahontas, IL, as well as being a published author of poems, short stories and two books, one of which was Blind Justice.

Prior to graduating from Granite City High School in 1952, he was an assistant manager at a shoe store. After graduation he worked a variety of jobs and continued his education to obtain a Masters Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmund in occupational education and from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Hydraulic Pneumatic technology. He worked as a millwright, an educator, a consultant, an adjunct professor at Belleville Area College, and worked for the Technology Center in Moore-Norman, OK, where he retired.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and four brothers, Emmanuel Gene, David Merle, and Bill Stover.

Surviving Smokey are his children, Anita Mae (Philip) Carey of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Brenda Kaye (Steve) Tooley of Highland, Illinois, Linda Faye (David) Altom of Pocahontas, Illinois, Curtis Ray (Debbie) Stover of Hinesville, Georgia, Brian Clay stover of Patoka, Illinois, Russell Jay Stover of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Michelle (Dwight), Eddy Jr., Tina (Rob), Crystal (Gary), Aaron (Erika), Rachel (Andrew), Kevin, Dena, Tahlia; several great grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; and sister, Clara Kay (Jim) Woods of Granite City, Illinois.

Visitation: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 10:00 – 11:00 am., Assalley Funeral Home, 118 E. College Ave., Greenville, IL 62246.

Masonic Service: 11:00 am., following the visitation.

Funeral:  Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 11:30 am., following the Masonic Service, with the Rev. Richard Stover officiating.

Burial: Greene Cemetery, following the Funeral.

The family asks that donations be gifted to the Bond County Hospice in lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts.

Memorial contributions may be given during the visitation and funeral or mailed to the Bond County Hospice, 1520 S. 4th Street, Greenville, IL 62246.

The family has entrusted Assalley-Young Funeral Home in Greenville with the ceremonies.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.