Richard Alvin Smither

Richard Alvin Smither, 57, of Benton Harbor, passed away Monday, August 1, 2005, at Porter Memorial Hospital in Valparaiso, Indiana. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 P.M., Thursday, August 4, 2005, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Sodus. Friends may call on the family from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Animal Aid. Those who wish to send a condolence message or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Richard was born August 22, 1947 in Symore, Indiana to Jess and Edith (Sullivan) Smither. He married Christine Hedrick on October 1, 1983, at the First United Methodist Church of St. Joseph. He worked as a Technician at Patterson Dental Equipment in South Bend, Indiana. Richard enjoyed golfing, skeet shooting and motorcycles. Richard is survived by his wife Christine; step-son Zachary Tope of Coloma; mother Edith Smither of Indianapolis; sister Sharon Henry of Virginia; and brother John Smither of Ohio. He is preceded in death by his father Jess Smither.