José Manuel Soares "Joe" Silva

      José Manuel Soares “Joe” Silva, age 64, of DeWitt, MI, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

      Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, with Pastor Josh Lator officiating.  A private graveside service will take place at DeWitt City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at 12:00 P.M. prior to the service.

      José was born in Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal on May 13, 1959, the son of José Goulart and Benilde Madruga (Soares) Silva. He immigrated to California with his family on July 4, 1970. He graduated from Point Loma High School, Point Loma, CA with the Class of 1977. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science at National University in CA.     On January 23, 1982, Jose married Jennell Ellen White at St. Peter's By the Sea Church, Ocean Beach, CA. They have been married forty-two years. 

      Joe loved his family and being involved in their lives. He enjoyed being out in "God's Creation." He was a reader and spent many hours reading to his family. Joe was a car enthusiast and took his family on many "test drives." He liked to play games and had the best laugh.

      Joe worked at EDS and HP. The last thirteen years were spent as a State Administrative Manager for the State of Michigan. He truly enjoyed the work he was doing and the relationships he built along the way.

      He is survived by his father Jose, wife Jennell, four children: Danielle (Eric) Kaschyk, Katrina (Scott) Harrington, Andrew (Candace) Silva, and Stephanie Silva; ten grandchildren: Micah, Nathan, Tayleigh, Lauren, Isaac, Parker, Josiah, Kenan, Hanna, and Ruth; sister Armanda (Edgar) Moura, niece Cassandra, and nephew Eric. He was preceded in death by his mother.

      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House 1600 Washington Heights Ann Arbor, MI 48104 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.