Obituary of Craig Marshall Smith

Craig M. Smith, 58, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly but of natural causes at Lakeland Hospital in Niles on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Craig was born on June 21, 1964, to the late Sharon (Kenbel) in Logansport, Indiana.  After graduating from Edwardsburg High School, Craig went on to learn HVAC.  On March 15, 2015, he wed Leslie (Hewitt) at a ceremony in Niles. After many years of being an HVAC technician, Craig went back to school to earn his Associate’s Degree in Administration so that he could become an instructor.  Craig loved teaching and enjoyed teaching HVAC to others as a professor at Ivy Tech.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Kenbel.

Craig is survived by his wife, Leslie Smith of Niles; children, Brandon, Jessica, and Madison Smith all of Elkhart; step-children whom he loved as his own, Justin (Kristine) Papesh of Constantine, Kelsey Papesh of White Pigeon, and Kendra (Alex) Fleming of Largo, Florida; four grandchildren; sisters, Tracy (Gary) Willis of Plainwell, Michigan and Jennifer (John) Phelps of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends.

Funeral services to honor Craig’s life will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles at 2:00 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at Noon.  Craig will be laid to rest at Smith’s Chapel Cemetery.

Those wishing to send a memorial donation in Craig's name may do so to the Disabled American Veterans.