Clarence A. Smith

Clarence A. “Smitty” Smith, 71, of Allegan, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at Allegan General Hospital. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph, with Msgr. Eugene Sears officiating. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to West Michigan Cancer Center, 200 N. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Smith was born January 26, 1935 in Bravo, Michigan to Leon & Victoria (Janowski) Smith. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps. from 1954-1957. On October 18, 1956, Smitty married the former Reta Shoup in St. Joseph. He was employed as the grounds keeper at St. Joseph High School for sixteen years, and as director of maintenance for Lake Michigan Catholic Schools, retiring in 1998 after twenty-two years. He was a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph. After retirement, he moved to Allegan where he was active in the Senior Bowling League, and enjoyed golfing, fishing and sailing. Smitty and Reta enjoyed traveling and spending the last several winters in Florida. He was a jack of all trades and there was nothing he couldn’t fix. Smitty is survived by his wife Reta; two sons-Steven Smith of Allegan, Frank (Kimberly) Smith of Eustis, FL; his daughter Victoria (Lynn) Zelko of Watervliet; four grandchildren-Paul Volk, Lauren Volk, Brad Smith, Todd Smith; his sister Anna Cupani of Stevensville; his brother Frank (Linda) Smith of Watervliet; four step-brothers-Nick (Leona) Rose, Jr. of St. Joseph, Gene (Gail) Rose of Baroda, Charles (Ada) Brower of Holt, MI, Robert (Lois) Brower of Sieverville, TN; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his father & step-mother Leon & Mable Smith, his mother & step-father Victoria & Nick Rose, and by his brother Alfred Smith.