Charles E. Smith

Charles E. Smith, 86, of St. Joseph, MI passed away on Sat., Nov. 28, 2015 at Lakeland Hospital, Niles, MI. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.   Charlie was born on May 2, 1929 in Braymer, MO to Arthur and Naomi (Burtner) Smith. He was a hard worker and good provider for his family. Charlie retired from Consumer’s Power Co, Palisades Nuclear Plant in 1985 after 24 years of dedicated service. He was always available to help a fellow neighbor in need, whether working on a car, or building or repairing a house. Charlie spent many hours volunteering for Habitat for Humanity during his retirement years.   Charlie is survived by his children – Karen (Jim) Benedix of Dowagiac, Patricia (Tom) Bone of Sherwood, MI, Sandra (Russ) Looker of Kalamazoo, MI, Brian (Kate) Smith of Martinsville, IN, Al (Terri) Newman of Bradenton, FL, Tim (Lori) Newman of Moline, IL, Andy Newman of Benton Harbor, MI and Gary Newman of LaPorte, IN; brothers – Bruce (JoAnn) Smith of Valparaiso, IN and John Smith, MD of LaPorte, IN; partner – Judy Shimunek; sister-in-law – Karen (Ken) Scheming of St. Joseph, MI; brother-in-law – Donald Stewart of Lawton, MI; many grand, great grand, and great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents-Naomi and Arthur Smith, two wives – D. Maxine Stewart-Smith and Suzanne Newman-Smith, a sister-Marna Kredlo, and two sisters-in-law – Ann Smith and Marion Stewart.   A Celebration of Life service will be on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1:00 P.M., at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, with Pastor Trent Hammond officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma, MI. Visitation precedes the service on Wednesday from 11:00-1:00 P.M. at the funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the American Cancer Society. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com