Lois Grace (Kirkey) Painter

     Lois Grace Painter, age 85, of Wheeler, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at MyMichigan Medical Center, Alma, Michigan.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, with Pastor Lyle McCoon, Jr. officiating.  Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Alma, MI.  Visitation will be held from 2:00-8:00 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. on Monday, August 28, 2023, at funeral home.

     Lois was born in Ithaca, Michigan on April 5, 1938, the daughter of Alfred Ray and Dorothy Aileen (McConkey) Kirkey. She graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1957.  On January 25, 1964, Lois married Clifford Leroy Painter in Ithaca, Michigan. They were blessed with thirty-one years of marriage prior to his passing on September 29, 1995.

     Lois' faith was her anchor through life. She was an active member of the Wheeler Free Methodist Church for over forty years. She taught Sunday School and loved children. She always saw the good in others.

     Lois loved people and was a social butterfly. In her youth, she liked to go dancing. She was a member of TOPS in Alma and a lifetime member of Moose Lodge #1566 in St. Louis. She made many friends at Schnepps, enjoyed playing cards, and participating in many other activities.  Lois loved her family and dedicated her life to them. She cherished every moment with them. She was always present at family dinners, parties, BBQs, or any family gathering. Always ready to hold a baby and hear the latest news about her family. Family was her life.

     She is survived by her son Jeffrey (Brandi) Painter of Elwell, MI; seven grandchildren: Amanda Ray (James) Perry, Tara Ann Bailey, Anthony Wayne Hirt, Meshia Renee Wischmeyer, Zakkery Alexander Painter, Zane Arion Painter, and Zoey Angelene Painter; and nine great-grandchildren: Dylan, Shawn, Lukas, Adilyn, McKenna, Raena, Hunter, Elliot, and Quentin; her brothers: Jerry (Diane) Kirkey, Robert (Betty) Kirkey, and Danny (Diane) Kirkey; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clifford, her son Scott Clifford Painter, her sister Diane (Jay) Galehouse, and her brother Ronald Kirkey.

     Memorials may be made to the Wheeler Free Methodist Church or Moose Lodge #1566, St. Louis. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.