DONALD JACK SMITH,
78, of Decker died Monday, August 31, 2015 in his home. Don had been ill and in the hospital for the past 5 months with chronic pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He fought vigilantly and long enough to be able to go home to the house he was born in, where he died peacefully with his loving and devoted wife by his side. He was born December 2, 1936 on the Smith family farm, the youngest of four sons born to Glenn Harmon and Ruth Wightman (Durfee) Smith. Don lived and worked this farm his entire life. He married Janice Laura Dunlap November 12, 1955 in Deford. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.
Don attended Leslie School through the 8th grade leaving to work on the family dairy farm. Don and Janice raised their family on the farm in Decker. He worked for Active Industries, then Guerdon Industries for a few years to help support his family. Don loved farming. He was a dedicated farmer and never shied away from work, whether at home or helping neighbors and friends. He loved his John Deere "toys" and loved his large family. Don often attended his grandchildren and great grandchildren's sporting events. He enjoyed working in his yard and loved his annual fishing trips with his sons. Don had a wonderful sense of humor that always made everyone smile. He will be truly missed by family and friends.
Don is survived by his wife, Janice; children: Randall (Jacquelyn) Smith of Decker, Deborah (Raymond) Buerkle, Jr. of Sandusky, Sally (Jeffrey) Moore of Cass City, Julie (Robert) Schroder of Boise, ID, Donald (Marcy) Smith, Jr., of Chelsea; grandchildren: Monica (Kevin) Rushlo, Randy (Heidi) Smith II, Dan Smith, Liza (Ken) Periso, Jessica Smith, Josh (Megan Walker) Smith, Josette (Josh) Horst, Austin Buerkle, Laura (Jason) Gaeth, Scott (Mandi) Moore, Sam (Kelly) Moore, Ella Schroder, Claire Schroder, Jack Smith, Emma Smith, Aleya Smith; 19 great grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Joyce) Smith of Lewiston, ID; sisters-in-law: Bonnie Smith of Decker, Yvonne Roe of Sandusky; several nieces and nephews; step nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his great granddaughter, Alexis Smith; brothers: Lawrence Smith, Dean Smith.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Rev. Jackie Roe of Cass City United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Smith will be his grandsons: Randy Smith II, Dan Smith, Josh Smith, Austin Buerkle, Scott Moore, Sam Moore, Jack Smith. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2015 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
78, of Decker died Monday, August 31, 2015 in his home. Don had been ill and in the hospital for the past 5 months with chronic pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He fought vigilantly and long enough to be able to go home to the house he was born in, where he died peacefully with his loving and devoted wife by his side. He was born December 2, 1936 on the Smith family farm, the youngest of four sons born to Glenn Harmon and Ruth Wightman (Durfee) Smith. Don lived and worked this farm his entire life. He married Janice Laura Dunlap November 12, 1955 in Deford. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.
Don attended Leslie School through the 8th grade leaving to work on the family dairy farm. Don and Janice raised their family on the farm in Decker. He worked for Active Industries, then Guerdon Industries for a few years to help support his family. Don loved farming. He was a dedicated farmer and never shied away from work, whether at home or helping neighbors and friends. He loved his John Deere "toys" and loved his large family. Don often attended his grandchildren and great grandchildren's sporting events. He enjoyed working in his yard and loved his annual fishing trips with his sons. Don had a wonderful sense of humor that always made everyone smile. He will be truly missed by family and friends.
Don is survived by his wife, Janice; children: Randall (Jacquelyn) Smith of Decker, Deborah (Raymond) Buerkle, Jr. of Sandusky, Sally (Jeffrey) Moore of Cass City, Julie (Robert) Schroder of Boise, ID, Donald (Marcy) Smith, Jr., of Chelsea; grandchildren: Monica (Kevin) Rushlo, Randy (Heidi) Smith II, Dan Smith, Liza (Ken) Periso, Jessica Smith, Josh (Megan Walker) Smith, Josette (Josh) Horst, Austin Buerkle, Laura (Jason) Gaeth, Scott (Mandi) Moore, Sam (Kelly) Moore, Ella Schroder, Claire Schroder, Jack Smith, Emma Smith, Aleya Smith; 19 great grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Joyce) Smith of Lewiston, ID; sisters-in-law: Bonnie Smith of Decker, Yvonne Roe of Sandusky; several nieces and nephews; step nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his great granddaughter, Alexis Smith; brothers: Lawrence Smith, Dean Smith.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Rev. Jackie Roe of Cass City United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Smith will be his grandsons: Randy Smith II, Dan Smith, Josh Smith, Austin Buerkle, Scott Moore, Sam Moore, Jack Smith. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2015 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
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