Earl Smith

Obituary of Earl Smith Houghton Earl R. (Smitty) Smith Sr., 81, a former resident of Houghton, passed away Tuesday October 12, 2010, at the Franklin House of Portage Pointe where he had been a patient for the past week following a lengthy illness. He was born on June 26, 1929, in Baraga, a son of the late Lloyd and Agnes (Forcia) Vedder. As a child, he attended the Baraga and Hancock schools. On February 26, 1950, he was united in marriage to the former Vera G. Eakin. Earl had been a miner for the White Pine Copper Mine for 22 years and then was a maintenance man for the Holiday Inn Express in Houghton for ten years. Mr. Smith was a member of S.S. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton. He enjoyed playing cards, tinkering around the house and had a passion for older vehicles. He will fondly be remembered for "pop the hood so we can see what we have." when referring to a car his son or grandsons were interested in. Preceding him in death were his parents, his sister: Dorothy Maier, his brothers Douglas Smith and Elmer Hansen, Clarence Hansen, Raymond Mitchell and Johnny Smith. Surviving are: His wife; Vera G. Smith of Houghton His children; Mary (Bob) Balcerzak of Carmel, IN Earl (Sally) Smith Jr. of Houghton Linda (Milan) Marcis of Allen Park, MI Gail Ross of Houghton His grandchildren; Amy, Becky (Troy), Natalie (Josh), Tom, Jeremy (Tandi), Corey (Angela), Max, Eliot, Tyler (Tiffani), Robert, Joseph, Katie, & Brandon. His great grandchildren; Dean, Jordan, Cody, Lily, Cian, Kade, & Alli Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins A memorial service for Earl will be held 11 am Thursday October 14, 2010, at S.S. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton with Rev. David Weber to officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton. Friends may call on Thursday October 14, 2010, from 10 am until time of services at the church. To view Earl's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting the family with arrangements. To send flowers to the family of Earl Smith, please visit Tribute Store