Florence M. Smith age 95, of Quincy died on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at her home. Florence was born in Adams County, IL at the family home on December 15, 1928, a daughter of Elmer J. Maas and Coletta Lucy (Wellman) Maas. She married Merle Smith on February 15, 1947 in St. Anthony Catholic Church, and he preceded her in death on January 5, 1985.

Florence was a homemaker and worked outside the home at the former Small Fry Restaurant in Quincy for 15 years. She then worked at Blessing Hospital as a Physical Therapy Tech for 25 years before retiring at age 70.

Florence was of the Catholic faith and a longtime member of the former St. Boniface Catholic Church. She was a member of the St. Elizabeth Society, had served as President of the Ladies Auxiliary and as chairwoman of the funeral dinner committee. When St. Boniface closed, Florence joined St. Francis Catholic Church and served on the Altar Society. She was a member of the Ladies of Charity and participated in the Blanket Program of the Quincy Deanery.

Survivors include her children: Dale Smith (Kathy) of Springfield, Phyllis Cameron (Robert) of Quincy; Harold Smith (Mary) of Norwalk, CA; Donna Harris (Mike) of Quincy and Wanda Rossmiller (Danny) of Camp Point, Marie Yates of Quincy, Marvin Smith (Julie) of Morton, 23 grandchildren: Jeff Nichols, Nancy Poellet, Tara Huseman, Jill Baker, Kenny Nichols, David Nichols, Joe Smith, Janette Shinavier, Rebecca Edgington, Robert Cameron, Amber Stankiewicz, Preston Smith, Pearson Smith, Crystal Mallory, Summer Coombs, Rick Harris, Keith Rossmiller, Kevin Rossmiller and Kent Rossmiller, Adam Yates, Tiffany Yates, Amanda Smith and Courtney Smith.
Her siblings: one sister, Lucille (Fritzie) Nieders; brothers, Robert “Bob” Maas (Connie); Thomas Maas (Julie) Elmer Maas (Jeannie). Sisters-in-law, Carlene Atkinson and Margie Maas. 35 Great Grandchildren and great-great grandchildren with one due in May.
Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother Eleanor Belker, her husband Merle, a daughter Barbara Nichols, a son Charlie Smith, a granddaughter Kelly Rossmiller.
Five sisters, Rose Mary “Rosy” Benz (Eddie); Loretta “Ritz” Klauser (Todd); Clara Neisen (Raymond); Joan “Annie” Dreyer (Maurice) and Barbara Hilgenbrinck (Jim). Five brothers, Virgil Mass, Clarence Maas, Gerald Maas (Shirley), Raymond Maas and Melvin Maas (Sharon). Two sons-in-law, James Nichols and Howard Yates.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 2024, at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday morning for 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Knights of Columbus Mass for Shut-Ins or St. Francis Catholic Church. Service arrangements are with Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Messages may be shared online at www.dukerandhaugh.com