Obituary of Shirley A Smothermon

Shirley A. Smothermon, 87, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at Westwoods of Niles.

Shirley was born on February 17, 1932, to the late Maurice and Susan (Butler) Powers in Waukegan, Illinois.

When Shirley met Walter Smothermon, it was love at first sight for him. He eventually won her over and they married on June 9, 1948, in Marion, South Carolina. They returned from their honeymoon and made their home in Niles, Michigan. Together they raised four children, Patricia (Dale) Strefling; Linda (Gil) Mueller; Daniel (Carol) Smothermon; and Paul (Sarnya) Smothermon. They proudly became grandparents to fifteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren; considering each child a blessing.

Shirley loved to crochet baby gifts and enjoyed perusing garage sales with her friends. She worked at Simplicity Pattern Company, and at Brandywine Schools in the kitchen, making many friends along the way. Shirley and Walter attended Forestbrook Missionary Church in South Bend for many years.

Shirley and Walter lived their entire married lives in Niles, and as their children had their own families, they made new friends and would gather at various restaurants across town and enjoy each other’s company.

Walter, who passed away on January 12, 2011, was the man she missed the most. They married young and had been together for sixty-three years. They enjoyed traveling to WWII venues where they would meet up with Walter’s old war buddies near the end of his life.

Family, friends, and caretakers will gather for a memorial service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 15, at Forestbrook Missionary Church, 52500 Forestbrook Avenue, South Bend, IN 46637.

In lieu of flowers, please make your donation to Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain Road, Buchanan, MI 49107. Shirley made friends with the caring staff at Hospice and loved those that cared for her. Her family cannot express enough, their appreciation for how each member of Hospice contributed to her life, also the wonderful loving care she received by the staff from West Woods of Niles.