WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Harold J. Smoker, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, June 9, 2011, at Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home in LaGrange, Ind., where he had been a resident for the past six years.
He was born March 6, 1930, in Batavia, a son of the late Anthony and Eva (Hudson) Smoker.
Harold was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On May 29, 1954, he married Betty Jane Teadt at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. She died Dec. 3, 2003.
He retired from the Kirsch Company in Sturgis following more than 40 years of dedicated employment.
He was a member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion and Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW. Harold honorably served his country during the Korean War with the U.S. Army earning the rank of PFC.
He enjoyed fishing, the many dogs he had over the years and attending Sturgis High School sporting events. He loved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. All those who knew Harold will miss his sense of humor.
Harold is survived by a daughter, Linda (Kevin) Grant of Middlebury, Ind.; a son, Larry (Lorrie) Smoker of Sturgis; five grandchildren, Bethany (Ben) Selvage of Portage, Christopher Smoker of Baltimore, Timothy (Ashley) Smoker of Sturgis, Kendra (Garrett) Banghart of Elkhart, Ind., and Justin Grant of Middlebury, Ind.; four great-grandchildren, Braden, Bennett, Taylar and Anna; a brother, Leonard (Alice) Smoker of North Augusta, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a brother, Marion Smoker.
The family will receive friends from 3-6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. The Rosary will be recited at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Prayers before Mass will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, followed by a procession to Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis, where the funeral Mass celebrating the life of Harold Smoker will begin at 10 a.m. Monday. The Rev. Father German Perez-Diaz will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis, where full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Smoker’s memory consider the Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion, 500 W. Chicago Road, Sturgis, MI 49091, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 2300 Portage St., Suite 341, Portage, MI 49001.
