Willis Russell Smith

W. Russell Smith, 86, of Benton Harbor, passed away Monday, April 30, 2007 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Russ is now absent from the body and present with the Lord. A Celebration of Home Going will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, May 4, 2007 at First Baptist Church, 902 Broad St., St. Joseph, with Rev. Marlo Fritzke officiating. Friends may call on the family beginning at 12:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of St. Joseph or KVER Radio Station in El Paso, Texas. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Russ was an active church member, serving in many leadership positions, teaching Sunday School for 40 years, and also serving as a volunteer missionary for 10 years in Texas. Russ also helped organize AWANA at the Hartford Federated Church. He was very proud to have served his country during World War II in the Army Signal Corps stationed in the Alutian Islands of Alaska, prior to its becoming part of the US. Russ was a former Cub Scout leader in Bloomingdale; he truly enjoyed children and had a great personality when working with kids. He enjoyed woodworking, family gatherings, cake decorating and candy making. The delight of his life was found in helping others, as he was a true servant of God. Russ will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. Russ is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of 29 years; his son, Todd (Kathy) Smith of Coloma; two grandchildren, Greg Smith of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Sara (Kevin) Trapp of Stevensville. Russ was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy G. Smith in 1976.