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George B. Smink, age 92, of Vicksburg, died late Monday, Sep. 14, 2009 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Kalamazoo on Feb. 6, 1917 the son of Edward Otto and Betty (Muelenkamp) Smink. He was raised in Kalamazoo and the family later moved to Fulton in 1933. He graduated from Athens High School with the class of 1935. George was married to Frances Andre in 1939. She was a schoolteacher, while George engaged in general farming southeast of Vicksburg. Frances died in 1988.
George married Suzanne Jordon in 1989. Together they enjoyed travel, woodworking, and volunteer work at Factoryville Bible Church. George was a former Brady Township Supervisor, and had served on the Kalamazoo County Equalization Board. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, bird watching, and fishing on Snyder Lake.
George is survived by his wife, Suzanne; 3 daughters and their spouses, Patricia Dennison (Richard) of Jackson, MI, Janet Cousins (Thomas) of Vicksburg, MI, and Ruthann Brown (Robert) of Sanford, NC; 8 grandchildren, Thomas Cousins (Jodie), Kemi Laing (Jim), Andrew Dennison, John Cousins (Holley), Charles Dennison (Jodie), Angie Willis (Fred), Justin Brown (Yuri), and Jason Brown (Janie Lee); 16 great-grandchildren, Ross, Cody, and Shane Cousins, Chelsie and Cole Hostetler, Nathan, Amanda, Rachel, and Olivia Dennison, Sarah Ann, Noah, Hannah, and Rachel “Grace” Brown, and Joshua, Gabriel, and Lilly Ann Willis; 1 sister, Caroline Young, (Max). He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 infant brothers; and his 1st wife, Frances Andre Smink.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Sep. 18, 2009 at the Factoryville Bible Church, 1291 Factoryville Rd. Athens, MI with Rev. Fred Goebert officiating. The family will receive friends for 1 hour prior to services at the church. Following services, there will be a time of food and fellowship at the church. Burial will follow at Mount Ever Rest Memorial Park in Kalamazoo. Memorials may be directed to either the Factoryville Bible Church, or Hospice of Southwestern Michigan. Online register is available, and condolences may be left at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
