Alexander Van Cleve Smith passed away at Freeport Memorial Hospital on February 10 th , 2023.  He was 84 years young.

Van was born on March 7 th in Boston Massachusetts, the son of Fred and Ori (Webber) Smith.  He grew up in the rural Brookfville, Illinois area on the farm.  He graduated from Lanark High School in 1956.  He was in the National Guard in 1960-1963.  He graduated from Lincoln Barber College in East Moline in May of 1959.

Van owned and operated Smith's Perfect Image in Freeport from May of 1959 working 63 years until February of 2023.  He loved cutting hair.  His clients would attest that he made their experience at his barber shop fun with lots of jokes, antidotes and friendly jabs at his Bear fan foes…  His Barber shop was also known as "The Packer Dugout".   His sweet little dogs were at the barber shop with him every day.

Van married Roberta Mulligan in 1960 and they had two daughters, Diana (John) Pringey, Hubbard, Ohio and Kelly Smith, Rockford, Illinois.  They divorced in 1983.  In 1984 Van married Connie Dietmeier.  She had four children, Daren, Cathy, Gwen, and Jeff.  Connie had Alzheimer's the last ten years of her life.  Van cared for her.  She was in the Stephenson nursing home the last 3 ½ years.  Van & their dogs went to see her every day to feed her dinner, and put her to bed.  They were rough years for sure.

Van loved to hunt and fish.  These were hobbies he shared with his best friend (brother in spirit) Bill George.  He also hunted with his Daughter Kelly and his Grandsons.   Van loved the outdoors, and going to Chitek Wisconsin every year for 20 years with good friends Mike and Jeanette Murray.

Van was an avid Green Bay Packer fan.  His best friend Bill George was a Bears fan.  Van told him he would pray for him.

Van also loved playing tennis.  He and his daughter Diana spent many hours on the courts.  He played in a lot of Freeport tournaments.   He also loved horses and spent much of his time with daughter Kelly showing her horse.

Van was devoted to the Park Hills Evangelical Free Church in Freeport.  Van was on many boards and was church chairman for several years.  He taught small group bible study in his home for twenty five years.

Van is survived by his daughter Diana (John) Pringey of Hubbard Ohio, Kelly Smith of Rockford Illinois and Step Daughter Gwen (Dean Collette of Altamont, Illinois, six grandchildren, Jonathan (Amber) Riley, Heather (Adam) Riley, Erica (Josh) Meinert, Christopher Brimeier, Jeremy (Charlotte) Heeren, and Jordan (Nikki) Heeren, seven great grandchildren and a very special friend Wendy Smith.  He is also survived by three sisters, Betty Allen, Alma Mae Wiltfang, Delores (Dolly) Hogus and one brother Richard Smith.

Van was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Connie, three sister, Janice, Mary, Wilma, and five brothers, Lawrence (Pat), Bob, Freddie, Jim and Arnold.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 14th from 4-7pm at Walker Mortuary.  Services will be held at Park Hills Church on Wednesday, February 15th at 10:30 am. A memorial has been designated in his name. Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com .

To watch a beautiful video tribute to Van's life please click here Van Smith's vide tribute of his life