Penny Smeltzer's Obituary
Penny Kay Smeltzer, 77, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away October 2, 2023, at home.
Penny was born in Decatur on August 22, 1946, the daughter of Raymond and Fraudonna (High) Kaler. She married Robert Smeltzer on January 4, 1963, in Monticello, Illinois. Her chosen work was cleaning houses for others, which led to many of her clients becoming cherished friends. In her spare time, she was an avid reader, baker, and watcher of court-TV shows. She was a former member of the Early Idlers Car Club, a pastime she enjoyed with her husband Robert. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Penny is survived by her children Paula Burris of Decatur and Pamela (Michael) Card, both of Decatur; siblings Karen (Rodney) Beard and Raymond Kaler, both of Decatur; sisters-in-law Marilyn Merry and Karla Campbell; grandchildren Benjamin Smeltzer, Brandie Jones, Megan Burris, Abbey Burris, and Sunshine Zuber; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters Paula Rae Kaler and Patricia Michaels.
Visitation for Penny will be held from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, October 14 at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Following the visitation, Graceland Fairlawn will provide cremation services, and burial will be held at a later date in Mt. Gilead Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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