Wayne D. Smeets

Wayne Douglas Smeets, age 77 of Joliet, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at his home.

Wayne was a lifelong Joliet resident, where he raised his two children in his childhood home with his late wife Dorothy. After retiring from Caterpillar, he proudly owned and operated Dormar Kitchens Business for 10 years. He also held membership with the Freemasonry. In his free time, he enjoyed playing cards and pool, learning through the history channel, fishing with his grandchildren, and cooking delicious meals for family dinner.

He was a hard working man, continuing laborious activities once retired for as long as he had the strength. He assisted his son in building a number of homes for his family, crafted a number of home projects such as outdoor Christmas Scenes and bird houses, and taught his grandchildren precision in house painting. He enjoyed frequent road trips to Texas to spend time with his daughter. Wayne was a generous and kind-hearted man, giving everything he could to his family and friends, and cherished as a father and grandfather figure to many outside his immediate family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Smeets and son, Randy Smeets; beloved grandchildren: Megan (Tim) Leiser and Trevor (long-time girlfriend Grace Chervinko) Smeets; brothers: Ron Smeets and Richard Smeets; sister-in-law: Geri Hinich, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy in 2013, his parents Vivian and Raymond Smeets Sr, a brother, Raymond Smeets, and two sisters, Bobbie Borello and Sheri Cook.

The family is deeply thankful to Yvonne Chudy and family for their gentle loving care of Wayne in the past year.

Per Wayne's wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.