Marguerite B. Smith

St. Joseph, MI – Marguerite B. Smith, 89, of St. Joseph, MI, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, December 28, 2009. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 914 Lane, St. Joseph, MI. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, December 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Public Schools or St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Marguerite was the wife of Franklin H. Smith former mayor of St. Joseph; he survives. She was the daughter of Lycurgus W. and Corrine S. Barnes and born in Terre Haute, IN on May 25, 1920. Marguerite, was a loving wife, caring mother and devoted teacher. She met her husband Frank while she was a college student at Indiana University. There she was president of Chi Omega, a campus social sorority and secretary-treasurer of Alpha Kappa Delta honorary. When Frank got leave from the Army they were married January 17, 1942 in Benton Harbor. Marguerite finished her education degree at Western Michigan University. She was a teacher for 20 years retiring from the former North Lincoln Elementary School where she taught 3rd grade. She loved teaching and enjoyed seeing her students mature and have families of their own. After retirement she continued her involvement with education as she served as a member of the St. Joseph Public School Board for 12 years. Marguerite was a wonderful partner for Frank and they traveled and participated in many adventures together. She enjoyed accompanying Frank on his duties as Mayor of St. Joseph and graciously represented the City. Their last big adventure was visiting Australia. She had taught her third grade students about Australia and wanted to see it for herself. She will be greatly missed by her children: Kathy (Robert) Keck, Tom (Kay) Smith, Franklin (Julie) Smith Jr., and Sally (Mark) Krause, as well as 12 grandchildren and their spouses. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.