SMITTY’S BODY SHOP CONITNUES FAMILY LEGACY
The service Smitty’s Body Shop and Towing has provided the greater Centralia area has spanned six decades and three generations.
Offering full-service collision repair, as well as 24-hour emergency towing, Smitty’s is a longtime family business, with owner Mike Smith and manager Eric Smith, carrying the torch first lit by Mike’s father and Eric’s grandfather, Howard, who opened the business in 1966.
“My father got into the autobody business in 1948, after getting released from World War II,” Mike advised. “He worked at Langenfeld Motors, first in the gas station. They told him they had an opening in the body shop. He didn’t know anything about body work at the time, but that’s where they sent him.”
What began as a chance promotion would not only set the trajectory for Howard’s professional future, but also the future of his son and grandson.
“(Howard) worked for dealerships from 1948 to 1966, and then decided to do it on his own,” Mike said, going on to recall memories of helping his father on the job. “When I was a little kid, I was in the body shop with my dad. If he went to junkyards, or to the auto dealers to get parts I always had to go along. I started working at the shop full-time in 1982, then in 1988 I took over.”
The cycle would repeat itself, as Eric would spend time in the shop as an adolescent, joining full-time in 2010. In addition, Eric would follow in his father’s footsteps of becoming a volunteer firefighter, enlisting with the Centralia Fire Protection District at the age of 18.
“Both of us are firefighters. I was a firefighter in the ‘80s, down at the district, and then left because I had too many responsibilities. About three years ago, they were short on daytime people,” Mike said. “A lot of times, when there was a call, I would show up and if they needed help with stuff I would help. Finally, Greg Earle, the manager, said I just needed to get on. So, I’ve been back there about a year-and-a-half.”
Mike said serving as volunteer firefighters while working full-time for the body shop and towing service can generate some busy workweeks, but maintained they felt fortunate to be serving Centralia in both capacities.
“Some weeks can get very busy. You never know. You never know until you get the call,” Mike said. “If we got the call right now, we’re going to get up, head to the fire station, and help those in need.”
When Eric isn’t responding to collisions or fires, he’s likely in the air, having recently received his balloonist’s license. Eric has participated in several ballooning events since, including the 2023 Centralia Balloon Fest.
Despite their adventurous hobbies and volunteer service, Mike and Eric are still planning to grow Smitty’s, with hopes of one day relocating to a larger location and providing additional services.
“We are looking for a bigger building, and we are looking to expand. We’re going to have to have more staff eventually,” Mike said. “I’d like to add some mechanical work, and we have talked about some restoration stuff. PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) is also something (Eric) has always wanted to add. We’ll just need more space. When the time is right, it will all come together.”
With expansion on the rise and Eric poised to one day overtake the business, it’s safe to say the family-owned business will continue it’s legacy for years to come.
Smitty’s Body Shop and Towing
617 S. Cherry Street, Centralia IL
618-532-7988
smittysbodyshop@hotmail.com
