Curtis Smith

Curtis L Smith, age 83, of Baldwin, died on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Spectrum Health - Reed City Campus, following a brief illness. He was born on September 18, 1923 in Baldwin, to Robert J. and Emilie (Thompson) Smith, and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1940. He attended Michigan State University prior to joining the United States Marine Corps during WWII. He began a 40-year long banking career as a teller at the then, Lake County State Bank. In 1980 he was named President of the Lake Osceola State Bank, and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1987. Curtis married Ardis M. Plush on August 13, 1954 and they enjoyed 52 years of marriage and together raised five children. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ardis; three sons and their wives, Steven and Denise, Timothy and Sue and Marc and Robin, all of Baldwin; two daughters and their husbands, Christine and Harold Robins of Lake Ann and Marcia and Paul Christopher of Grand Rapids; 11 grandchildren, Teri Russell-Webster of Amherst, New York, Marybeth Johnson of Paw Paw, Sara Smith of Baldwin, Duane C. Smith of Twentynine Palms, California, Matthew C. Smith of Grand Rapids, Joe (Wendy) Christopher and Jami (Matt) Christopher-Worden both of Grand Rapids, Chris Bogner of Ludington, Renay Bogner of Scottville, Jaime Soulliere of East Jordan and R.J. Stebe of Charlevoix; 15 great grandchildren; a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law of Wichita, Kansas and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Robert S. Smith. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 25, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Verdun Funeral Home, 585 7th Street, Baldwin. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 26 at Baldwin Congregational Church, 870 Beech Street, Baldwin, with Pastor Vern Powers officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at Pleasant Plains Township Cemetery near Baldwin. Those considering an expression of sympathy are welcomed to consider a memorial contribution in his memory to the Curtis L. Smith Fund of the Lake County Community Foundation or the Activities Fund at Grand Oaks Nursing Center in Baldwin. Envelopes are available by contacting the Funeral home. Arrangements were entrusted to Verdun Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Baldwin, (231) 745-4680.