Obituary of Wilma E. Smith

Wilma E. Smith, 80 of Edwardsburg, passed away at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, with her family by her side. Wilma was born on October 30, 1936 to the late Garitt and Effie (Bullard) Winkelman in Kalamazoo, Michigan. While in high school Wilma met the man who would turn out to be the true love of her life; and on October 2, 1954 she wed Frederic R. Smith at a ceremony in Kalamazoo. Wilma went on to raise four wonderful children. She instilled in them a love for family and how important faith was. She was the epitome of a "people person" she never met a stranger and loved making new friends. Her grandchildren brought her an even different joy. Every time she had another grandchild it was as if her first was born all over again. She loved her family and everyone knew it. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Beverly Heminway and Betty Nugent. Wilma is survived by her husband of 62 years, Fred Smith; children, Frederic "Rick" (Janice) Smith of Stevensville, Janice (Wayne) Gilpatrick of North Port, Florida, Melissa You of South Bend and Robert (Teresa) Smith of Edwardsburg; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Gary (Merita) Winkelman of Portage, Michigan, Bob (Joyce) Winkelman of Riverdale, Michigan, Shirley Ayres of Three Rivers, and Donna (Jim) Busch of Three Rivers; and many extended family members, church family, and close friends. A memorial service to honor Wilma's amazing life will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Journey Church, where she and Fred had been faithful members for the past eight years, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in Wilma's name to Hanson Hospice Center at 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085 or the National Kidney Foundation at 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.