Donna Mae Smith

     Donna Mae Smith, age 89, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024.
     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, December 13, 2024, with Rev. Fr. Michael Williams presiding. Burial will take place at Lowe Cemetery, St. Johns, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel with a Vigil and Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M.
     Donna was born in Lakefield, MI on February 24, 1935, the daughter of Frank Griffus and Margaret Genevieve (Daniels) Schultz. She was a graduate of Chesaning High School and then attended MSU on a short course scholarship for Home Economics. Donna married Noel Franklin Smith on July 2, 1955. Noel passed away on April 3, 2005.
     Donna was a member of the Dietary Managers Association and held many offices over the years, such as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President and past President. She also attended many conferences and won State Achievement recognition. She was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, a past president of the Altar Society, a member of the Befriender Ministry and helped with the funeral dinners. Donna was a 4-H Leader and was a leader on several projects and the organizational leader for Prairie 4-H Club. Donna was very active with the American Red Cross and their blood drives, she was a member of the Three Gallon Club. She was talented at sewing, made many quilts with her daughter Esther, loved to go camping at the tractor shows, was a wonderful cake decorator and cook, she also enjoyed playing cards, gardening and traveling. Donna worked 11 years at East Essex Elementary School, many years at St. Johns High School, 8 years at Hazel Findlay and 11 years at the Clinton County Jail as a cook. Her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren were her greatest joy.
     She is survived by her daughter Pam Adair and special friend Terry Messmer of St. Johns, MI; son Armond and Wendy Smith of St. Johns, MI; her grandchildren: Rodney Mercer Jr. "JR", Kristin Mercer, Kendra (finace' Kyle Judge) Robins, Noel Franklin (Jessica) Smith II, Amber Mae (Eric) Martin, and Cody William Smith; great-grandchildren: Mellissa, Jennifer, Faylyn, Hailey, Ethan, Kylee, Tarynn, and Kaylin; great-great-grandchildren: Amelia and TJay.
     Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Noel Smith, her daughter Esther Robins also her siblings: Kenneth Schultz, Betty Sadilek, and Glen Schultz.
     Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or St. Joseph Catholic Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.