Dennis J. Smith

Dennis Smith -- BourbonnaisDennis J. Smith, 56, a local banker and community leader, died Monday (Sept. 3, 2007) at his home in Bourbonnais. He suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.Mr. Smith was a former president of HomeStar Bank and managing director of HomeStar Investment Services. He served as a member of its board of directors and served as vice chairman of the board of HomeStar Financial Group, a financial services holding company. Mr. Smith began his career with the bank in 1973 following his graduation from the University of Notre Dame. He oversaw the expansion of HomeStar Bank (formerly Manteno State Bank) through acquisitions and new branches in Kankakee and Will counties and the addition of new services, including investments, insurance, title and trust.Mr. Smith was born March 19, 1951, the son of Francis W. Smith and Rita Keigher Smith. His father founded HomeStar Bank in 1946. He was a graduate of Our Lady Academy Grade School, Manteno; Bishop McNamara High School, Kankakee; and the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and finance. He remained an enthusiastic Fighting Irish fan throughout his life, often showing up in person to cheer on the Bishop McNamara and Notre Dame sports teams. Mr. Smith was a member of the University of Notre Dame Sorin Society. Throughout his 34 years at HomeStar Bank, Mr. Smith remained active in the community. He gave unselfishly to numerous nonprofit, education and community service organizations in Kankakee County, including the Manteno Chamber of Commerce, the Manteno Rotary Club, the Kankakee River Valley Seniors Program, the Diocese of Joliet, Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee Community College, Bishop McNamara High School, the Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph Catholic Church of Manteno, the Kankakee County 100 Club, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Kankakee, and Maternity BVM Catholic Church and School in Bourbonnais.Mr. Smith was elected to the board of trustees at Kankakee Community College, serving from 1990-2004 and held the positions of secretary and vice chairman. He was also a former member of the board of trustees of the Riverside Medical Center Foundation, the Helen Wheeler Mental Health Center, and the Catholic Schools Foundation of the Diocese of Joliet. He was past president of the Manteno Chamber of Commerce.Mr. Smith married Jill Blanchette Dec. 4, 1998. He is survived by his wife, Jill; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Francis Smith and Jean Smith of Manteno, and Jim Smith and Christine Kranz Smith of Washington, D.C.; a sister and brother-in-law, Madelyn O'Brien and Patrick O'Brien of Bourbonnais; one uncle, Patrick E. Keigher of Manteno (Jeanne); and a devoted group of nieces and nephews, including Bill Smith of Chicago, Pam Smith and Michael Smith, both of Washington, D.C., Kelly Smith Haley of Chicago, Michael O'Brien of Kankakee, Dennis O'Brien, Danny Smith, and Molly Smith, all of Washington, D.C.His parents are deceased.

Dennis J. Smith

March 19, 1951 - September 3, 2007