Lewis J. Smith

Lewis J. Smith, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2017 at his home.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Monday, January 23 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel with Rev. LaVerne Davenport officiating. Military rites conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team will conclude the services. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations may be made to Caring Circle Hospice in St. Joseph.  Those wishing to sign Lewis’ Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Lewis was born January 22, 1924 in Edwardsburg, Michigan to Samuel & Cecelia (Lockwood) Smith. He graduated from Mishawaka High School, Class of 1942 where he was a member of the National Honor Society and the Varsity Football Team. Upon graduation, Lewis entered the US Army Air Corp serving his country during WWII.  On August 12, 1945 he married the former Joan K. Zimmerman in Mishawaka.  Lewis was employed at Menaugh’s Hardware in Osceola, Indiana and U.S. Rubber Co. in Mishawaka before gaining employment with Citgo Petroleum Corp., retiring in 1980 as regional sales manager after 26 years of service. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon, and the Berrien County Republican Party.  Lewis was formerly a St. Joseph Township Trustee and served as the Public Safety Director for the township.  He was an avid football and sports fan, enjoyed playing his Concertina and writing music, and especially enjoyed playing golf, boating and fishing.    Lewis is survived by his wife Joan; his son Greg Smith of St. Joseph; two grandchildren-Jeffrey (Ashley) Smith & Carley Smith; a great-granddaughter Ella Rose Smith; his sister-in-law Jean Warner Magrane of Mishawaka; cousin Dean (Darlene) Lockwood, several nieces & nephews, and his caregiver James David Busby of Buchanan. Lewis was preceded in death by his sister Jeanette Claxton, his brother-in-law Jack Zimmerman and an uncle Rockford Lockwood.