About Us

    Samuel A. Smith was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY, he moved to Carson City, MI, at the age of twelve, and went on and graduated from Carson City Crystal High School with the class of 1971.  Throughout high school, he worked for Maynard Dodge who owned Dodge Funeral Home. He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science with the class of 1984.  He married Carol E. (Muscott) Smith in 1981.

    Sam started working for Carter Funeral Home in Elsie, MI, under Kelley Carter in 1983.  They purchased the funeral home from Kelley and Geraldine Carter in July of 1985, and resided next door for eighteen years.  Sam and Carol established Smith Funeral Homes, Inc. and purchased Scarlett Funeral Home in Owosso, MI, Kribs Colonial Chapel in Corunna, MI, Alward-Carter Funeral Home in St. Louis, MI, and they built a location in St. Johns, MI.  They went on to acquire Dewey Funeral Homes in St. Louis and Ithaca in 2002 and in 2007; they purchased Jennings-Lyons Funeral Home in Owosso, MI.  In 2010, Sam & Carol built the new Ithaca location and later decided to downsize some selling both the Owosso and Corunna Chapels to Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes.  In 2016, they acquired Osgood Funeral Homes in St. Johns, Fowler, and Ovid.  

    Sam served as the President of Michigan Funeral Directors Association in 2002-2003.  He served on the Mercantile Bank Board for years.  He is currently serving as a Gratiot County Commissioner and is a partner with his son-in-law at the local ice cream shop in Ithaca, MI.  

    He and Carol reside in Perrinton, MI, and winter in Florida; they share two daughters: Emily and Hannah (Josh), and four granddaughters: Marley, Harper, Jemma, and Quinn Schmidt.  They enjoy riding their Harley Davidson motorcycle, spending time on the boat, and being with their kids & granddaughters.

     Hannah grew up in Elsie, MI; the daughter of Samuel & Carol Smith.  She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School, with the class of 2006.  She went on and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL, in 2009; and returned back to Michigan to work with her family.

     Hannah resides in Ithaca with her husband Josh and their four daughters: Marley, Harper, Jemma, and Quinn.  She enjoys spending time at home with her family.

     Emily grew up in Elsie; she is the daughter of Sam and Carol Smith and grew up in the funeral business. She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School with the class of 2004 and went on attended Baker College majoring in Human Services and accounting; she then returned to work for her family in 2016. 

     Emily resides in Ithaca, MI, she enjoys spending time with her nieces: Marley, Harper, Jemma, and Quinn, going to concerts, shopping, is an avid Detroit Tigers fan, and being with her friends and family.  She also enjoys working at her Dad and brother-in-law's ice cream shop.

     Angela is originally from Marine City, MI and moved to the area in 2007, to work for Smith Family Funeral Homes.  She graduated from Wayne State University in 1993, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science. 

     Angela currently lives in St. Johns with her husband Jon. She and Jon have six children: Jon, Nicholas, Chad, Autumn, Zachary, and Hannah; also four grandchildren: Alyssa, Carter, Riley, and Ellie.

     Angela loves spending time with her family and adores being a grandma.  She and Jon enjoy camping and antiquing together.

     Taylor graduated from Pewamo-Westphalia High School, with the class of 2019.  She is currently attending Worsham College of Mortuary Science; to become a funeral director.  Along with going to school, she is working on completing her funeral directors apprenticeship.  Taylor has worked with Smith Family Funeral Homes, since January of 2022.

     Taylor enjoys exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with her husband, Justin, and their two saint bernards: Daisy and Frankie.  During the summer, Taylor, enjoys spending time at the lake with her family and friends.  She enjoys going roller skating, shopping, and is an active member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church.

Madalyn grew up and lives in Elsie, Michigan. She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School, with the Class of 2019 and went on to study Graphic Design at Michigan State University. 

      Madalyn enjoys spending her free time with her friends, family, and her five brothers. She also loves reading, baking and decorating sugar cookies in her downtime. Something she is also very compassionate about is helping people in their time of need. 

     Carl is originally from Fort Wayne, IN, and graduated from Coldwater High School, with the class of 1985.  He graduated from Marion College in 1989, and has been a Pastor for over thirty-five years.  He has been working in the funeral industry for nearly twenty-five years.  In 2016, Carl, began working for Smith Family Funeral Homes.

    Carl married his wife Karen in 1989.  They have lived in the Alma area since 1993.  They have five children and eight grandchildren.

     Josh grew up in Standish, MI, and graduated from Standish-Sterling High School with the class of 2004.  Josh worked alongside his family with their outdoor amusement business until 2020.  He works at the funeral home throughout the winter months and owns and operates an ice cream shop in Ithaca, MI.  In his free time enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and bowling.

     Garrett grew up in Ithaca, MI; and is a great-nephew of Sam & Carol Smith.  He graduated from Ithaca High School, with the class of 2021.  He is currently attending Mid-Michigan College majoring in accounting.  He plans to transfer to Northwood University next fall to obtain his bachelor's degree in accounting.

     Garrett resides in Ithaca, MI; he enjoys being with his friends, spending time with his siblings: Lucas and Ella, going to bonfires, and playing fantasy football with his cousin, Josh Schmidt.   He works at the Big Top Ice Cream Shop in the summer months, and working at the funeral home in the winter.

     Ruth is a native of Ithaca and graduated from Ithaca high school in 1979. She attended Northern Michigan University and recently retired from the State of Michigan Department of Corrections as a storekeeper.

     Ruth enjoys watching and playing sports, especially golf. She has been involved with the ELKS for over 25 years, serving in many local, state and national positions and currently is on the Veterans committee. She enjoys watching her family in their activities and spending time working around her house and yard.

    Brett was born in 1960 in St. Johns, Michigan, he graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School, with the class of 1978.  He attended Lansing Community College, while serving a tool and die makers apprenticeship.  He retired from General Motors, after thirty years.  

     He's married to Cheryl (Minarik) Welton in 1984, and have three sons: Craig, Kyle, and Derrick; and four grandchildren: Thalia, Eloise, Cecilia, and Myles.  He has worked for Smith Family Funeral Homes for approximately six years.

     Tammy works as a Funeral Assistant for Smith Family Funeral Homes.  She grew up in Portland, Michigan, and has lived in Fowler for the past thirty-two years, after marrying her husband Denny.  

     We shared four children and now have six grandchildren.  She was an oncology nurse for forty years, retiring shortly after her husband passed away.  She spends her free time traveling, crafting, reading, and enjoying her grandchildren's sporting events.

     Kim is a lifelong resident of Ithaca and enjoys being involved in her community.  She graduated from Ithaca High School and worked at her family's business for many years; in addition to many other local businesses.

     Kim also enjoys serving as a poll worker at the city elections and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.  She loves spending time with her family, traveling, and watching professional golf.

    Mark was born and raised in St. Johns and continues to reside in St. Johns, with his loving wife Barbie. They have two daughters, one son, and two grandchildren.

   He retired from the State of Michigan in 2017, and started working for Smith Family Funeral Homes in 2018.  He throughly enjoys working for Smith Family Funeral Homes and everyone that works for them.  He hopes to continue working for them for a very long time.  They truly are passionate towards the people who have lost loved ones and that is why this is a great place to work for.

     Nancy grew up in Port Huron, MI; and graduated from Port Huron High School.  She retired as an administrative assistant for a circuit court judge in Maryland.  She then decided to move home to be closer to her children and granddaughter.  She is currently serving on the Sparrow Hospital Auxiliary and the Downtown District Development Board.  She has worked for Smith Family Funeral Homes since 2014.

     Nancy has three children: Michelle, Otie, and Austin; one granddaughter Alexandra, and one great-granddaughter Lennon Grace.  She enjoys reading, being with her friends, traveling, spending time with her kids, and enjoying a good glass of wine.

     Scout grew up in Ithaca, MI. She graduated from Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, with the class of 2021. She is currently attending Lansing Community College majoring in Human Resource Management. 

     Scout resides in Ithaca and enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on coffee dates with her little best friend, Jemma, going shopping, and going to concerts.