About Us

    Samuel A. Smith was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY, he moved to Carson City, MI, at the age of twelve, and went on and graduated from Carson City Crystal High School, with the class of 1971.  Throughout high school, he worked for, Maynard Dodge, who owned Dodge Funeral Home. He graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, with the class of 1984.  He married Carol E. (Muscott) Smith in 1981.

    Sam started working for Carter Funeral Home in Elsie, MI, under, Kelley Carter, in 1983.  They purchased the funeral home from Kelley and Geraldine Carter in July of 1985, and resided next door for eighteen years.  Sam and Carol established Smith Funeral Homes, Inc. and purchased Scarlett Funeral Home in Owosso, MI, Kribs Colonial Chapel in Corunna, MI, Alward-Carter Funeral Home in St. Louis, MI, and they built a location in St. Johns, MI.  They went on to acquire Dewey Funeral Homes in St. Louis and Ithaca in 2002, and in 2007; they purchased Jennings-Lyons Funeral Home in Owosso, MI.  In 2010, Sam & Carol built the new Ithaca location and later decided to downsize some selling both the Owosso and Corunna Chapels to Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes.  In 2016, they acquired Osgood Funeral Homes in St. Johns, Fowler, and Ovid.  In 2025, Sam and Carol, purchased Sikora Dental Practice in Alma, MI, where they went on to remodel and make into a new location.  They opened their Alma location in October of 2025.

    Sam served as the President of Michigan Funeral Directors Association in 2002-2003.  He served on the Mercantile Bank Board for years.  He served as a Gratiot County Commissioner and owns the local ice cream shop in Ithaca, MI.  

    He and Carol reside in Perrinton, MI, and winter in Florida; they share two daughters: Emily and Hannah (Josh), and four granddaughters: Marley, Harper, Jemma, and Quinn Schmidt.  They enjoy riding their Harley Davidson motorcycle, spending time on the boat, and being with their kids & granddaughters.

     Hannah grew up in Elsie, MI; the daughter of Samuel & Carol Smith.  She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School, with the class of 2006.  She went on and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL, in 2009; and returned back to Michigan to work with her family.

     Hannah resides in Ithaca with her husband Josh and their four daughters: Marley, Harper, Jemma, and Quinn.  She enjoys spending time at home with her family.

     Emily grew up in Elsie; she is the daughter of Sam and Carol Smith and grew up in the funeral business. She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School with the class of 2004 and went on attended Baker College majoring in Human Services and accounting; she then returned to work for her family in 2016. 

     Emily resides in Ithaca, MI, she enjoys spending time with her nieces: Marley, Harper, Jemma, and Quinn, going to concerts, shopping, is an avid Detroit Tigers fan, and being with her friends and family.  She also enjoys working at her Dad's ice cream shop during throught the summer season.

     Josh grew up in Standish, MI, and graduated from Standish-Sterling High School with the class of 2004.  Josh worked alongside his family with their outdoor amusement business until 2020.  He works at the funeral home throughout the winter months and operates an ice cream shop in Ithaca, MI.  In his free time enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and bowling.

     Angela is originally from Marine City, MI and moved to the area in 2007, to work for Smith Family Funeral Homes.  She graduated from Wayne State University in 1993, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science. 

     Angela currently lives in St. Johns with her husband Jon. She and Jon have six children: Jon, Nicholas, Chad, Autumn, Zachary, and Hannah; also four grandchildren: Alyssa, Carter, Riley, and Ellie.

     Angela loves spending time with her family and adores being a grandma.  She and Jon enjoy camping and antiquing together.

    Bristol began working for Smith Family Funeral Homes, in September 2025.  She graduated from John A. Gupton College, with an associates degree in Mortuary Science in 2024.

     Along, with their three cats and dog, Bristol and her husband, Cole, moved from Tennessee to central Michigan, because they wanted to experience all four seasons.

     In her free time, Bristol loves going to craft breweries with her husband, foraging for mushrooms, and baking various desserts.

Madalyn grew up and lives in Elsie, Michigan. She graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School, with the Class of 2019 and went on to study Graphic Design at Michigan State University. 

      Madalyn enjoys spending her free time with her friends, family, and her five brothers. She also loves reading, baking and decorating sugar cookies in her downtime. Something she is also very compassionate about is helping people in their time of need. 

     Garrett grew up in Ithaca, MI; and is a great-nephew of Sam & Carol Smith.  He graduated from Ithaca High School, with the class of 2021.  He is currently attending Mid-Michigan College majoring in accounting.  He plans to transfer to Northwood University next fall to obtain his bachelor's degree in accounting.

     Garrett resides in Ithaca, MI; he enjoys being with his friends, spending time with his siblings: Lucas and Ella, going to bonfires, and playing fantasy football with his cousin, Josh Schmidt.   He works at the Big Top Ice Cream Shop in the summer months, and working at the funeral home in the winter.

    Brett was born in 1960 in St. Johns, Michigan, he graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School, with the class of 1978.  He attended Lansing Community College, while serving a tool and die makers apprenticeship.  He retired from General Motors, after thirty years.  

     He's married to Cheryl (Minarik) Welton in 1984, and have three sons: Craig, Kyle, and Derrick; and four grandchildren: Thalia, Eloise, Cecilia, and Myles.  He has worked for Smith Family Funeral Homes for approximately six years.

     I  am a lifelong resident of the Middleton/Perrinton area.  I have lived in the Fulton School District for my entire life.  I graduated from Fulton High School in 1979.  

    I have been married to my wonderful wife since 1986; so forty years.  Together we raised three sons and love spending time with them.  We also have three amazing grandsons.  We are fortunate to have them live close, so we can spend quality time, with all of them.

    My hobbies include camping, hunting, fishing, and watching sports.  Especially football.  We live in the country on a small ten acre plot, so we can enjoy our other hobbies which includes tending to our bee hives, tapping maple and walnut trees, and making syrup, and planting a garden so we can freeze and can vegetables.

     Julie and I also like going to micro breweries, wineries, and distilleries for a good drink and a bite to eat.  We both enjoy the quiet simple life of small town living.

     Tammy works as a Funeral Assistant for Smith Family Funeral Homes.  She grew up in Portland, Michigan, and has lived in Fowler for the past thirty-two years, after marrying her husband Denny.  

     We shared four children and now have six grandchildren.  She was an oncology nurse for forty years, retiring shortly after her husband passed away.  She spends her free time traveling, crafting, reading, and enjoying her grandchildren's sporting events.

     Kim is a lifelong resident of Ithaca and enjoys being involved in her community.  She graduated from Ithaca High School and worked at her family's business for many years; in addition to many other local businesses.

     Kim also enjoys serving as a poll worker at the city elections and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.  She loves spending time with her family, traveling, and watching professional golf.

    Mark was born and raised in St. Johns and continues to reside in St. Johns, with his loving wife Barbie. They have two daughters, one son, and two grandchildren.

   He retired from the State of Michigan in 2017, and started working for Smith Family Funeral Homes in 2018.  He throughly enjoys working for Smith Family Funeral Homes and everyone that works for them.  He hopes to continue working for them for a very long time.  They truly are passionate towards the people who have lost loved ones and that is why this is a great place to work for.

     Nancy grew up in Port Huron, MI; and graduated from Port Huron High School.  She retired as an administrative assistant for a circuit court judge in Maryland.  She then decided to move home to be closer to her children and granddaughter.  She is currently serving on the Sparrow Hospital Auxiliary and the Downtown District Development Board.  She has worked for Smith Family Funeral Homes since 2014.

     Nancy has three children: Michelle, Otie, and Austin; one granddaughter Alexandra, and one great-granddaughter Lennon Grace.  She enjoys reading, being with her friends, traveling, spending time with her kids, and enjoying a good glass of wine.

     My husband and I have been married for forty-six years, and we have four children, who have blessed us with twelve grandchildren.

     I love spending time with my family, and we generally meet for monthly family dinners.  I also enjoy spending time outside gardening, taking care of my laying hens, and walking.  When I am not outside, you can find me in the kitchen cooking and baking, or working on sewing and scrapbook projects.

    Bri grew up in Perry, MI and now resides in Laingsburg, MI.  She graduated from Perry High School in 2023, Lansing Community College in 2024, and is currently attending Worsham College of Mortuary Science.  

    She enjoys reading, writing, and watching movies in her free time.  She also loves being outside with her boyfriend, Riley, and their cat Beans, usually on the boat fishing, or riding dirtbikes.

     Bri grew up in a large home with her parents, maternal grandparents, and her younger sister, Ava.  She has four dogs and two cats at her parents house.  Her fur babies are a corgi pitbull  Winnie Mae and a little cat Bodie Lee.

     After a 25-year career with the Department of Corrections, Brad retired in 2014, and began a second career with Ithaca Public Schools, where he worked for the past eleven years.  Brad began working for Smith Family Funeral Homes in 2025.

     Football has been a lifelong passion.  Over the course of forty-three years, he had  the privilege of coaching high school football at Vestaburg, Carson City-Crystal, and Ithaca High School.  The final twenty-seven years of his coaching career were spent at Ithaca.  Brad retired from coaching last year, but remains active as the Assistant Athletic Director at Ithaca Public Schools.  In recognition of his years of service and contributions to the game, he was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022.

     Brad is a proud parent to three children and the grandpa to three wonderful granddaughters.  He enjoys traveling and spending time on the golf course.

     Marion Springs born and raised, transplanted to the countryside of Ithaca.  Ike and I have been married for seventeen years, and have sixteen year old twin boys, Jake and Brody.

     I've volunteered for thirty years on the Marion Springs Fire Fund committee, and am passionate about everyone supporting your local fire departments.

      My hobbies include baking, sunbathing, and tending to my flowers.  I love waterfalls and intend on seeing every single one in Michigan!  

     I enjoy floating on our pontoon, bonfires, dirt track racing, golf cart rides, wandering in the woods, laughing with my boys, and spending time with my kitties.

     I was born and raised in Ithaca, and graduated from Ithaca High School, in 1997.  Since 2013, I have had the privilege of working in the school system, and currently work for the Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District in a Community Based Education classroom.  I enjoy supporting students as they develop the skills, and confidence needed for success  both in and outside the classroom.

      As a mother of five-three boys and two girls-much of my time is spent cheering them on at sporting events and supporting their many activities.  Family is at the heart of everything I do.

     When I find time for myself, I enjoy running, spending time outdoors, and staying active.

     Lynn is a Fowler native.  She has been married to her husband, Tom, for fifty years.  They were blessed with four sons, and daughter-in-laws, and thirteen grandchildren.

     She enjoys traveling, reading, playing pickleball, and spending time with her family.