Kenneth Doyle Smith, 60, of Harwood Heights, IL, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. The funeral service will be held at Noon on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena, where friends may call after 11 AM at the funeral chapel until the time of service. The burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Galena. He was born on September 1, 1963, in Waukegan, IL, the son of Doyle and Carol (Rousseau) Smith. Ken was a proud graduate of Waukegan High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Northeastern Illinois University, an AAS degree in Computer Science from the College of Lake County, and a Master of Divinity and MBA degrees from North Park University. Ken was a former medic in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1995-1996 North Chicago, IL, also serving in 68W at U.S. Army (combat medicine) 1993-1994 and Fort Sam Houston, TX, 71L/Admin Specialist at U.S. Army 1990-1993 Fort McCoy, WI, and 11B Infantry at U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence 1983-1989 Atlanta, GA. He was united in marriage to Diane Smith on June 22, 1996, and she preceded him in death on October 24, 2020.  Ken loved Marvel comics, movies, and anything to do with Star Wars.  He also enjoyed collecting historical memorabilia.  An avid animal lover, Ken volunteered countless hours at his local animal shelter and did dog sitting for Rover.  A staunch Republican (like his father Doyle), Ken was a consistent poll worker at his local precinct.  Ken was studying to become a pastor through the Melrose Park Free Methodist Church at his death. He owned his church in Dixon, IL (New Life Church of Dixon) and looked forward to sharing God’s word again soon.   At his passing, Ken was a multi-department expert in TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Lacerte at Intuit. He owned New England Professional Services, a bookkeeping and accounting services provider.  Ken also held past positions as Office Leader, Master Tax Advisor at H&R Block, Life Group Leader at Crown Financial Ministries, Co-Founder and Board member for Wee Rock Child Development Center, ACT Instructor at Kaplan and Cambridge, and Senior Staff Accountant at Brown CPA Group, Ltd.  Ken also acquired his business/real estate license from Triton College and worked at Zerillo Realty as a Real Estate Broker in his spare time. He is survived by his mother, Carol Smith of Galena, IL, two sisters, Lori Vines of Potosi, WI, and Sandy (Jim) Morris of South Amana, IA, and many loved nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his father and his beloved wife, Diane Smith, and a niece, April Campbell. Memorials may be given to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to remember Ken and Diane’s beloved dogs, Bandit and Bailey.