The world lost a beautiful man on Sept. 1, as Duane Arthur Smith, 83, was ushered into the arms of Jesus. Born Dec. 15, 1937, Duane was a loving husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend. His heart was generous, and his hands were outstretched to help others in times of need.
Duane was only 19 when he met the love of his life, Carolyn ("Connie"). They were married for 62 years, which is quite an accomplishment. Duane's little brother, Richard ("Dick") Smith, served as his best man.
Duane and Connie's road wasn't always smooth, but the bumps, hills and curves built a life filled with love, tears and laughter. Duane is father to Steven (Cheryl) Smith, James (Kurt) Smith, Jacqueline Clayton, Michelle Carter and Ann (Brian) Tschirhart. He was grandpa and poppy to Nicole Carter, Ashley (Nick) Packwood, Elizabeth (Will) Abreu, Trevor (Caleigh) Smith, Jack Clayton and Lillie Tschirhart. He was great papa to Penelope and Riley Packwood. He was honorary grandpa to Quinn Demmer. And he was looking forward to being grandpa to Jon Baum, and great papa to Jackson Baum, once Jon and granddaughter Nicole were married later this year. He was one of seven kids, so he had lots of nieces and nephews who adored him, too.
Duane, the son of Theodore and Cora Marguerite Smith, worked hard all of his life from the time he was little — working odd jobs for widows, flipping burgers and dropping fries at Sip N Snack in Okemos, working the line at General Motors, and rehabbing properties with his greatest friend and mentor, his father-in-law, Arnold Allen Sr.
It was important to Duane to instill that strong work ethic into his family. And he did that well. It was also important to him to instill a foundation of faith for his family, which he did through occasional preaching in the early days of Perry Gospel Mission – the church started by his father.
Duane, who was always thinking, kept his mind and wit quick by doing crossword or sudoku puzzles. He was also a master at Bananagrams and Scrabble — always getting the triple word scores. He loved a good game of kickball, golf, volleyball or bocce, too.
Duane graduated from Perry High School in 1956. He retired from General Motors in 1997.
Duane loved well and was well loved by his family. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's nearly 20 years ago. And while it may have taken a toll on his body and mind, it never dulled the twinkle in his eyes.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Marguerite Smith; siblings, Theodore ("Smitty"), Norman, La Donna Cords, Betty Ivan and Judy Conrad; in-laws, Arnold and Marie Allen; and forever friend, Jerry Phelps.
Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 5, at 12:30 until the funeral, which begins at 2:00. A private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation or Owosso Memorial Hospice.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Perry Chapel, 214 S. Main St., Perry, MI 48872. Pastor Bruce Lawton will officiate the service. The family will receive friends on Sunday beginning at 12:30 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. A private family interment will take place at Graham Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Parkinson's Foundation at Parkinson.org or Memorial Healthcare Hospice at memorialhealthcare.org. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com.
To send flowers to the family of Duane A. Smith please visit our Tribute Store.
Duane was only 19 when he met the love of his life, Carolyn ("Connie"). They were married for 62 years, which is quite an accomplishment. Duane's little brother, Richard ("Dick") Smith, served as his best man.
Duane and Connie's road wasn't always smooth, but the bumps, hills and curves built a life filled with love, tears and laughter. Duane is father to Steven (Cheryl) Smith, James (Kurt) Smith, Jacqueline Clayton, Michelle Carter and Ann (Brian) Tschirhart. He was grandpa and poppy to Nicole Carter, Ashley (Nick) Packwood, Elizabeth (Will) Abreu, Trevor (Caleigh) Smith, Jack Clayton and Lillie Tschirhart. He was great papa to Penelope and Riley Packwood. He was honorary grandpa to Quinn Demmer. And he was looking forward to being grandpa to Jon Baum, and great papa to Jackson Baum, once Jon and granddaughter Nicole were married later this year. He was one of seven kids, so he had lots of nieces and nephews who adored him, too.
Duane, the son of Theodore and Cora Marguerite Smith, worked hard all of his life from the time he was little — working odd jobs for widows, flipping burgers and dropping fries at Sip N Snack in Okemos, working the line at General Motors, and rehabbing properties with his greatest friend and mentor, his father-in-law, Arnold Allen Sr.
It was important to Duane to instill that strong work ethic into his family. And he did that well. It was also important to him to instill a foundation of faith for his family, which he did through occasional preaching in the early days of Perry Gospel Mission – the church started by his father.
Duane, who was always thinking, kept his mind and wit quick by doing crossword or sudoku puzzles. He was also a master at Bananagrams and Scrabble — always getting the triple word scores. He loved a good game of kickball, golf, volleyball or bocce, too.
Duane graduated from Perry High School in 1956. He retired from General Motors in 1997.
Duane loved well and was well loved by his family. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's nearly 20 years ago. And while it may have taken a toll on his body and mind, it never dulled the twinkle in his eyes.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Marguerite Smith; siblings, Theodore ("Smitty"), Norman, La Donna Cords, Betty Ivan and Judy Conrad; in-laws, Arnold and Marie Allen; and forever friend, Jerry Phelps.
Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 5, at 12:30 until the funeral, which begins at 2:00. A private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation or Owosso Memorial Hospice.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Perry Chapel, 214 S. Main St., Perry, MI 48872. Pastor Bruce Lawton will officiate the service. The family will receive friends on Sunday beginning at 12:30 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. A private family interment will take place at Graham Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Parkinson's Foundation at Parkinson.org or Memorial Healthcare Hospice at memorialhealthcare.org. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com.
To send flowers to the family of Duane A. Smith please visit our Tribute Store.
The world lost a beautiful man on Sept. 1, as Duane Arthur Smith, 83, was ushered into the arms of Jesus. Born Dec. 15, 1937, Duane was a loving husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend. His heart was generous, and his hands were outstretched to help others in times of need.
Duane was only 19 when he met the love of his life, Carolyn ("Connie"). They were married for 62 years, which is quite an accomplishment. Duane's little brother, Richard ("Dick") Smith, served as his best man.
Duane and Connie's road wasn't always smooth, but the bumps, hills and curves built a life filled with love, tears and laughter. Duane is father to Steven (Cheryl) Smith, James (Kurt) Smith, Jacqueline Clayton, Michelle Carter and Ann (Brian) Tschirhart. He was grandpa and poppy to Nicole Carter, Ashley (Nick) Packwood, Elizabeth (Will) Abreu, Trevor (Caleigh) Smith, Jack Clayton and Lillie Tschirhart. He was great papa to Penelope and Riley Packwood. He was honorary grandpa to Quinn Demmer. And he was looking forward to being grandpa to Jon Baum, and great papa to Jackson Baum, once Jon and granddaughter Nicole were married later this year. He was one of seven kids, so he had lots of nieces and nephews who adored him, too.
Duane, the son of Theodore and Cora Marguerite Smith, worked hard all of his life from the time he was little — working odd jobs for widows, flipping burgers and dropping fries at Sip N Snack in Okemos, working the line at General Motors, and rehabbing properties with his greatest friend and mentor, his father-in-law, Arnold Allen Sr.
It was important to Duane to instill that strong work ethic into his family. And he did that well. It was also important to him to instill a foundation of faith for his family, which he did through occasional preaching in the early days of Perry Gospel Mission – the church started by his father.
Duane, who was always thinking, kept his mind and wit quick by doing crossword or sudoku puzzles. He was also a master at Bananagrams and Scrabble — always getting the triple word scores. He loved a good game of kickball, golf, volleyball or bocce, too.
Duane graduated from Perry High School in 1956. He retired from General Motors in 1997.
Duane loved well and was well loved by his family. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's nearly 20 years ago. And while it may have taken a toll on his body and mind, it never dulled the twinkle in his eyes.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Marguerite Smith; siblings, Theodore ("Smitty"), Norman, La Donna Cords, Betty Ivan and Judy Conrad; in-laws, Arnold and Marie Allen; and forever friend, Jerry Phelps.
Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 5, at 12:30 until the funeral, which begins at 2:00. A private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation or Owosso Memorial Hospice.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Perry Chapel, 214 S. Main St., Perry, MI 48872. Pastor Bruce Lawton will officiate the service. The family will receive friends on Sunday beginning at 12:30 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. A private family interment will take place at Graham Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Parkinson's Foundation at Parkinson.org or Memorial Healthcare Hospice at memorialhealthcare.org. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com.
To send flowers to the family of Duane A. Smith please visit our Tribute Store.
Duane was only 19 when he met the love of his life, Carolyn ("Connie"). They were married for 62 years, which is quite an accomplishment. Duane's little brother, Richard ("Dick") Smith, served as his best man.
Duane and Connie's road wasn't always smooth, but the bumps, hills and curves built a life filled with love, tears and laughter. Duane is father to Steven (Cheryl) Smith, James (Kurt) Smith, Jacqueline Clayton, Michelle Carter and Ann (Brian) Tschirhart. He was grandpa and poppy to Nicole Carter, Ashley (Nick) Packwood, Elizabeth (Will) Abreu, Trevor (Caleigh) Smith, Jack Clayton and Lillie Tschirhart. He was great papa to Penelope and Riley Packwood. He was honorary grandpa to Quinn Demmer. And he was looking forward to being grandpa to Jon Baum, and great papa to Jackson Baum, once Jon and granddaughter Nicole were married later this year. He was one of seven kids, so he had lots of nieces and nephews who adored him, too.
Duane, the son of Theodore and Cora Marguerite Smith, worked hard all of his life from the time he was little — working odd jobs for widows, flipping burgers and dropping fries at Sip N Snack in Okemos, working the line at General Motors, and rehabbing properties with his greatest friend and mentor, his father-in-law, Arnold Allen Sr.
It was important to Duane to instill that strong work ethic into his family. And he did that well. It was also important to him to instill a foundation of faith for his family, which he did through occasional preaching in the early days of Perry Gospel Mission – the church started by his father.
Duane, who was always thinking, kept his mind and wit quick by doing crossword or sudoku puzzles. He was also a master at Bananagrams and Scrabble — always getting the triple word scores. He loved a good game of kickball, golf, volleyball or bocce, too.
Duane graduated from Perry High School in 1956. He retired from General Motors in 1997.
Duane loved well and was well loved by his family. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's nearly 20 years ago. And while it may have taken a toll on his body and mind, it never dulled the twinkle in his eyes.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Marguerite Smith; siblings, Theodore ("Smitty"), Norman, La Donna Cords, Betty Ivan and Judy Conrad; in-laws, Arnold and Marie Allen; and forever friend, Jerry Phelps.
Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 5, at 12:30 until the funeral, which begins at 2:00. A private family interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation or Owosso Memorial Hospice.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Perry Chapel, 214 S. Main St., Perry, MI 48872. Pastor Bruce Lawton will officiate the service. The family will receive friends on Sunday beginning at 12:30 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. A private family interment will take place at Graham Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Parkinson's Foundation at Parkinson.org or Memorial Healthcare Hospice at memorialhealthcare.org. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com.
To send flowers to the family of Duane A. Smith please visit our Tribute Store.
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