Robert O Smith's Obituary
Robert O Smith, 85, of Blanchard, fell asleep peacefully at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility in Mt. Pleasant, MI, on Friday, July 14, 2017.
He was born January 19, 1932 in Lansing, the son of Leroy and Elizabeth (Graves) Smith. He was raised in Lansing until he was 4, then Blanchard, graduating from Blanchard High School Class of 1952.
On August 3, 1952 he married Lois Baldwin and they lived in Blanchard during their 65 years of marriage.
Robert served in the US Army in Korea in the Medical Corp from 1949 - 1952. He then worked at Blanchard State Bank and Isabella Bank and Trust from 1953 until he ended his career on the bank board in 2002. He was also a member of Blanchard Rotary, a National VFW member, served on the Edmore Hospital Board, a Mason, and enjoyed many years as a Boy Scout Leader.
For many years he was a member of the Blanchard Church of God, and most recently, the 1st Church of Nazarene in Yuma, AZ and Mt. Pleasant, MI. Robert enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, painting, tinkering, yard work, his computer, and he loved to travel.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Leroy Smith and Elizabeth (William) Graves Scheese; and brothers Marvin and Donald Scheese.
Robert will be missed by his wife, Lois Baldwin Smith of Blanchard; children Gary Smith (Rebecca Vaughan) of Front Royal, VA, Karen (Larry) Mayberry of Byron Center, MI, Robert Jr. (Julie) Smith of Mt. Pleasant, and Gregory Smith (Debbie Acosta) of Saratoga, CA; one sister Dorothy (Paul) Riley of Lakeview, MI; sisters-in-law Grace Scheese and Judy Scheese both of Blanchard, MI; eleven grandchildren and thirty-four great-grandchildren; and a host of cherished nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Robert will take place on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11:00 am at Brigham Funeral Chapel in Edmore, MI with Dr. Jeremy Selvidge and Pastor Larry Mayberry officiating. The family will accept friends on Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the funeral home. All are invited to a luncheon at Maxfield's Restaurant immediately following the service. Graveside services at Pine River Cemetery in Blanchard will follow at 3:00 pm. In Lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Heartland Hospice, or the American Heart Association.
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