Joseph Donald Halcomb

     Joseph Donald "Joe" Halcomb, age 90, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at Laurels of Carson City, Carson City, MI.
     A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Terri Bentley officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 3-8 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, MI, at a later date.
     Joe was born in Burnside, KY on August 6, 1935, the son of John Lanis Halcomb and Hazel Mae (Wallace) Halcomb. He graduated from St. Louis High School, with the class of 1953. Joe attended Boys State at Michigan State University; he was a member of the 1952 State Championship boys’ basketball team at St. Louis High School. Joe married his high school sweetheart Susan Grace (Faurot) Halcomb on June 26, 1955 at the Alma College Chapel, Alma, MI. Susan passed away on April 8, 2024.
     Joe obtained his bachelor’s degree from Alma College where he played football and was a member of the TKE fraternity. He went on to Central Michigan University to receive his master’s degree in education administration. Joe was a teacher/principal with St. Louis Schools and at TSN Middle School in St. Louis, MI, and he later retired after 30 years of service. After retirement, he did substitute teaching and later went to CMU to work as a student teacher coordinator throughout Saginaw, Lansing and Mid-Michigan areas. Joe later became the assistant superintendent/middle school principal at Alma Public Schools. He was on the St. Louis School Board as a trustee and spent time as the school board president for many years. Joe drove school bus, spent time as the athletic director for St. Louis, and coached basketball, baseball, and football. He spent his life shaping minds and guiding many generations He was a member of the State of Michigan Principal’s Association, a member of the Mason’s, member of the State of Michigan School Boards, a member of the Retired Administrators of Michigan Association, and was a MHSAA athletic official. Joe’s favorite teams were the University of Michigan, University of Georgia, Iowa State University, Alma College, Central Michigan University, University of Kentucky, along with the Detroit Lions, and the Saint Louis Sharks, plus the Saint Louis Crimson Tide, and any team his sons or granddaughter played on or coached as well.
     He is survived by sons: Steve Halcomb and Pam Hale of Grand Rapids, MI; Scott and Tina Halcomb of Athens, GA; and Todd Halcomb of St. Louis, MI; daughter-in-law Annie Halcomb of Lansing, MI; granddaughter Alexandria Marie (Halcomb) and Adam Winans of Mason, MI; great-grandson Arden Winans; and his sister Joyce (Halcomb) and Dick Tichvon of Portland, MI. He is also survived by Tichvon nieces and nephews: Cari (Tichvon) and Todd McElmurry, Patrick Tichvon (Stephanie White), and Kevin and Joan Tichvon; Beth Ann Faurot of Lake Zurich, IL; and David Faurot of Punta Gorda, FL. He is also survived by his great-nieces and great-nephews: Taylor, Trevor, and Jane. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Susan, son Tim Halcomb, grandson Joey Halcomb, great-uncles and aunts: Lena and Leslie Wallace, Leo and Lucille Wenstrup of Cincinnati, OH; Bobby Halcomb, Jody Halcomb, father and mother-in-law Aubrey and Ednamae Faurot, brother and sister-in-law Milton and Margie Faurot and nephew Darold Faurot.
     Memorials may be made to the Gratiot County Commission on Aging, 515 South Pine River Ithaca, MI 48847. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.