Obituary for Donald Albert Smith

Loving husband, father and grandfather, Donald Albert Smith (Don, Big Daddy), from Laingsburg,passed away on Monday,November 12, 2018, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan surrounded by his family. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 11am at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Laingsburg, Monsignor George C. Michalek will celebrate with burial to follow in Reed Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 3-7pm with the Rosary being prayed at 2:30. Don was born in Portland, Michigan on August 7, 1939 to Isadore and Nora Smith. He was the oldest of three sets of twins. Don graduated from Portland St. Patrick in 1958. Following graduation, he served his country in the Air Force for four years. He married Mary Lou DeVault on September 19, 1964. Shortly after marrying, they relocated to Laingsburg, where they raised their family. He was a dedicated employee for General Motors Corporation for forty years, before retiring in 2002. After retiring from GM, he worked for a tree trimming service for six years, and then at the DeWitt Meijer for five and a half years. He officially retired in 2014. Don was a member of the UAW 652, Knights of Columbus and St. Isidore Catholic Church. Don thoroughly enjoyed life! When you saw him around town or at a sporting event, he always had a big smile on his face! An avid sports fan, Don loved the MSU Spartans, Detroit Tigers and especially loved the Laingsburg Wolfpack. He enjoyed the outdoors, grilling, playing euchre and taking trips to the casino. Don loved his family more than anything in the world and spent as much time with them as possible! Don had a very kind heart and was quick to make people happy and laugh. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife; Mary Lou, daughters; Amy (Chris) Wilson, Katy Smith, Monica (Randy) Gregg, Angie Smith, son; John (Annie) Smith, and his best buddy- Henry, his beloved Golden Retriever. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Rachel (Ben) Dietrich, Erin Wilson, Parker and Reagan Gregg, Hudson and Lewis Smith, and great-grandson; Christopher Dietrich. Don also leaves behind his twin brother Ron, brothers; Tom and Dave Smith, sister-in-law; Kathy DeVault and brother-in-law; Wilburn Knight He was predeceased by his son; Michael, his parents, his brother, Dan Smith, and sister, KathleenSmith. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or the Laingsburg Sports Boosters. Online condolences can be shared with the family at WatkinsFuneralHomes.com