Neola Crawford

Neola Florence Crawford, age 97, of Ithaca, Michigan passed away Monday, April 18, 2016 at Rosewood Adult Foster Care, Ithaca, Michigan.

Funeral Services will be held at Ithaca First Presbyterian Church, Ithaca, MI on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 1:00 P.M., with Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Novak officiating.  Burial will follow at Ithaca Cemetery Ithaca, Michigan.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, and for one hour prior to the service on Friday from 12:00 – 1:00P.M at the church.

Neola was born in North Star Township, Michigan on January 13, 1919, the daughter of Grant and Eva (Rivest) Smith.  She graduated from Ithaca High School with the class of 1935 at the age of 16.  On December 16, 1937, Neola married James B. Crawford Jr.; he preceded her in death in 1994.

Neola was committed to serving her community. She served as chairperson of the Gratiot County Social Services Board and volunteered with North Star Methodist Church, Ithaca First Presbyterian Church, Gratiot Community Hospital, Red Cross, and several community committees.  She shared her passion for gardening, camping, sewing, baking, and knitting with many area youth as a 4-H and Girl Scout Leader.  Neola enjoyed gardening, and gardened until she was 95.  She resided in North Star and Ithaca all her life.

She is survived by her children: James B. Crawford III of Davison, MI; Judy and Terry Klein of Alma, MI; Patricia and Dennis McHugh of Big Rapids, MI; grandchildren: Geoffrey and Grace Klein, Jason and Michelle Klein, Adam Klein and Kristen Ryan, Heather Fitzgerald, Peter McHugh, great grandchildren; Dominic, Sydney, Vincenzo, and Kennedy, sisters-in-law Shirley Smith and Annetta Beracy and several nieces and nephews. Neola was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers Frank and Dale Smith.

Neola’s family would like to thank everyone at Rosewood Adult Foster Care for their kind and compassionate care.

Memorials may be made to Ithaca First Presbyterian Church, Rosewood Adult Foster Care or a Charity of the Donor's Choice.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, Michigan.