Birth date: Dec 18, 1939 Death date: Nov 3, 2012
Lloyd “Smiley” Schumaker, age 72, passed away at home in the arms of his loving wife Saturday evening, November 3, 2012. He was born December 18, 1939 in Muskegon. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the 1950’s. Smiley w Read Obituary
My thoughts and prayers are with your family
I just got the news today!! I am so sorry for your loss!!
Written for my father and read by the pastor today:
My Family and Smiley's Friends,
My wish is for you is to remember our father Smiley for the way that you last saw him or for the way that he looked if you were fortunate enough to see him through the many phases of his life. As with anyone throughout the course of their existence, everyone experiences different appearances and i hope that we have captured him in pictures and that you, yourself, can reflect on a time when you were with my Dad and go, I remember when Smiley and I were together and...?
Please feel free to pass that memory on to any one of us (his wife Dee or his sons Thom, Bob, and Boyd "Scooby"). The decision for cremation was made quite a few years ago and was made by both my Dad and Mom. When the time comes for my Mom to join our Dad once again in Heaven, she will be having the same ceremony, memorial, and remembrance. We, as their children, will carry out their wishes with utmost respect and care.
At a time like this, one may have a difficult time expressing their feelings because of fear of embarrassment, shame, guilt, or regret. I can tell you from personal experience that it is much better to express your emotions openly and honestly, but only to do so by thinking of others first, instead of yourself. It is okay to hurt. It is okay to be shy. It is okay to laugh. It is okay to cry. When there are times in one's life where situations bring you to the verge of tears, just remember that there are so many things in life (past and present) that will help bring joy and peace to your day.
I'm sure all of us, in our own way, have something to share about a moment that they got to share with our Dad Smiley. Whether it was Our family having dinner, going out to dinner, watching television together, going shopping, hauling cars, fixing something together, calling him to get out of a jam, fishing, hunting, car shows, working with him, getting together at Mr. Quick's every morning, or just travelling the roads with him to wherever, everyone knows how much Smiley enjoyed to rack up the miles on his truck. Quite a few times when i was with him, pretty much no matter where we were (from Ludington, to Shelby, to Hart, to Whitehall/Montague, all around Muskegon, Grand Haven/Spring Lake/Holland, to Grand Rapids, and even when in Florida), i'd quite often hear "Hey Smiley" and I'd have no clue as to who they were, but he knew them and they knew my Dad. That is how many lives he has touched over the years.
I take solace knowing that he's in a much better place in Heaven and reunited with his Mom and Dad, his younger sister, and his brother Skip. As we carry on with our daily lives on Earth, just know that Smiley is cruising down the highways and byways of Heaven in his dream car (a 1954 Ford Glass Top or in his white Ford pickup truck) and he's Smilin' down upon us, watching over us, and waiting patiently for all of us to be together once again.
Cherish and celebrate the times you have with loved ones and try to make the best of those events, because God only knows when he's ready for you in his Kingdom. On the way there though, as my father and your friend Smiley would say "Drink water and walk slow and don't bump your head. "
-Written with Love the morning of November 7, 2012 by his son, Boyd "Scooby" Schumaker-
Delores and Family, We were saddened to read about Smiley's passing. Our Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time. Sally, Tony and Gina Edlund
Aunt Delores I wish I could be there during this time, just know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. All my love, Dawn
