Donald R. Smith

Donald R. Smith, age 78 of Lowell, passed away Friday, September 14, 2018. He was born October 9, 1939 to John and Esther Smith. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Tom (Norma) Smith, Bill (Patricia) Smith; and brother-in-law Bob Crandall. He is survived by his children, Mark (Arlene) Smith, Angela (Fred) Tibbens, Dawn (Hank) Huesing; sister, Alice Crandall; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. Don graduated from St. Francis School in 1957; and served 3 years, from 1968-1971 in the US Army. He moved to the Grand Rapids area and apprenticed in tool and die work, retiring from Delphi Motors in 2002. Don was an avid listener and musician of bluegrass music; playing the mandolin. He was also an artist, carving and painting many beautiful pieces. Notably, he painted six biblical scenes in the Carmelite Monastery Chapel in Parnell, MI. He also carved life-sized statues of Jesus, Mary and St. Anne for St. Anne Catholic Church in Ruskin, FL. A member of AA, he was actively involved in the Lowell Serenity AA Club for 27 years. His sobriety date was February 7, 1971. Don loved living and working in the countryside north of Lowell. A devout practicing Catholic, Don attended St. Mary in Lowell, as well as St. Patrick and the Carmelite Monastery Chapel in Parnell. Visitation will be held 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 16, at Roth-Gerst Chapel, 305 N. Hudson, Lowell, MI 49331. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 17, St. Mary Catholic Church, 402 Amity St., Lowell, MI 49331. Rev. Aaron Ferris presiding. Interment St. Francis Cemetery, Petoskey, MI. Memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church.