Marion Smart's Obituary
On December 6, 2014 Mrs. Marion V. Smart, age 85, of Spring Lake was welcomed into the loving arms of our Savior and has embarked on her new journey. She has given her last gift and now shares her Heavenly Birthday with her youngest daughter’s Earthly birthday. She was born December 24, 1928 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Bernard J. and Alice (McMahon) Turner.
Although active in many activities throughout her life it was her faith, children and grandchildren that were most important to her. She made each of us feel like her "favorite," and the family has had many a laugh trying to claim that favorite position. She also was a mother to many a Laker and a few Buccaneers as well as neighbor children and her children’s friends who lovingly called her "Mom Smart." She made each person she met feel special as she possessed such a gracious spirit. She enjoyed many a decade watching her children and grandchildren participate in sports and enjoyed every minute of it. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post #28 Women’s Auxiliary and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. For many years she enjoyed volunteering, and was honored by our community during a "Night of 100 Stars" for her volunteer work with the Veteran’s home. She was past president of the American Legion Auxiliary, was a member of several groups, and organized the Girls State program for years. She loved her ladies from her ceramics group, and was an avid bowler in her younger years. Marion was a founding member of the Spring Lake High School Sports Boosters Club, as well as a founding member of the Perfect 10 Sports Boosters at Michigan State University. Marion loved to laugh and with this in mind her family have unanimously inducted her, with a toast shortly after her passing, to the "Mother’s Hall of Fame."
She is survived by six children: Steven P. (Nancy) Smart of Spring Lake, David M. Smart of Grand Haven, Kathie A.(Ross) Klages of Mason, James P. (Catherine) Smart of Manton, Daniel J. Smart of Spring Lake, and Debra K. (Steve) Tober of Spring Lake; eighteen grandchildren: Jennifer Smart, Beth (J.O.) McNitt, Jack (Kristen) Baas, Lindsey Smart, Adam (Abbey O’Loughlin) Smart, Nicholas Smart, Matthew (Hailey) Klages, Ian (Sara Morris) Klages, Raven (with child) (Kane) Slaght, Dylan (Kelsey Thelen) Klages, Christopher (Aimee) Smart, Allison Smart, Jordan, Samantha, and Haley Smart, Victoria Marion, Rebecca Sue, and Emma Rose Tober; seven great-grandchildren: Isabella, Elijah, Lillian, and Violet Klages, Matthew and Maggie Smart, and Reese Baas. She is also survived by one sister, Faith McGruther; former husband, Stanley D. Smart, her Seville family, lifelong friends, Fran Anderson, Mac Howe, Jan Hoag, and Peggy Botbyl, along with many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph Turner. The family would like to extend a huge “thank you” to Seville home in Grand Haven for all the care, and most importantly the love you provided for our dear mother in her last few years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Friday, December 12, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Father David Gross officiating. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 6-8 PM Thursday, December 11, 2014 at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Spring Lake with a Rosary service at 4:00 PM. There will also be visitation an hour before the service at church. Interment will take place in Spring Lake Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Marion may be given to American Legion Girls State Education Fund, Hospice of North Ottawa Community or Seville of Lakeshore Assisted Living. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Spring Lake.
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