Cletus W. Smelser Jr., 64, of Rosewood Heights, IL, died at 3:50 p.m. Fri. Mar. 21, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family while under hospice care.

He was born Mar. 6, 1961 in East St. Louis, IL to Patricia Ann (Noe) Beckenbach and Cletus W. Smelser Sr.

Cletus retired from World Wide Technology.  He loved music and going fishing.  He also liked sports and was an avid Chicago Bears fan.  Time spent with his family was his favorite.  Cletus was always willing to lend a helping hand.

He is survived by a daughter: Linda Hanbaum of Rosewood Heights; 3 sons: Thomas (Jennifer) Davis of Belleville, IL, Mikeal (Ivonne) Smelser of CO and Jon (Lillian) Smelser of East Alton, IL; 8 grandchildren: Steven, Audra, Thomas, Jada, Aliza, Maizie, Hayven and Alejandro; sisters: Donna Tome, Bobbie (Shawn Widell) Thuis, Becky (Shawn) Hines, Bria Beckenbach, Sherry Russell, Michelle (Jim) Martin and Kirsten Smelser; brothers: Shane (Catie) Jenne; John (Erin) Smelser and Patrick (Shannon) Smelser; a sister-in-law: Laura Smelser; and his devoted girlfriend: Sue Kessler.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father: Bob Beckenbach; a brother: Rick Smelser; and his step-mother: Sharon Jacobs.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until time of services at 7:00 p.m. Tues. Apr. 1, 2025 at Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory.  Burial will be private at St. John Cemetery in Collinsville, IL.

Arrangements with online information and guestbook through Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory may be found at www.wojstrom.com.