Obituary of James D. Smith

Of Vassar, age 66, died Monday, March 23, 2009 at St. Mary Hospital. James was born November 25, 1942 in Vassar, Michigan the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Mary Alice (Harper) Smith. He and Lynne Connell were united in marriage August 19, 1994 in Vassar. Jim was employed at the Vassar Police Department for 28 years, retiring as Sargeant in December 1999.Jim leaves to cherish his memory his wife Lynne, nine children: James D. Smith Jr., Richard Smith, Donald Smith, Robert Butterfield, and James Butterfield, Jeanine Belton, Rhonda Finch, Sherry Vickers, Crystal Mills, many grandchildren, four sisters, Mattie Thompson, Susan (Haneef) Rushdan, Julie (James) Gipson, Tina Smith, two brothers, Michael Smith and Joe Smith, sister in law Mary (Charles) Adams, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister JoAnn Murphy, brothers Larry Smith and Theodore (Jeanne) Smith, brother in law Willie Thompson. The funeral service will take place 2:00pm, Friday, March 27, 2009 at the Wolverine Human Service in Vassar. Vincent McMillon will officiate with burial to follow in Riverside Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the Martin Funeral Home in Vassar from 11:00am to 8:00pm. On Friday, Jim will be taken to Wolverine Human Service where he will lie in state from 12:00 noon until time of service at 2:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to a Family Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home,or online at www.martinfuneralhome.com.