Smith Family Funeral Homes

04/10/2026

04/09/2026

UPDATED WITH SERVICE INFORMATION:

Donald Paul Roesner, age 96, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at his home.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, April 27, 2026 with Deacon Eric Elstro officiating at Smith Family Funeral Homes-Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI. Burial will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI at 1:30 P.M. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 2-4 P.M. at the funeral home.
Donald was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on December 13, 1929, the son of Ralph A. and Barbara (Abel) Roesner. Don graduated from Rockford High School, Rockford, MI, with the class of 1948. He earned a Bachelors' Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Michigan. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On September 26, 1959, Donald married Ruth Ann Dupuis at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Flint, MI.
Don worked as a Pharmacist and retired from Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and gardening. Don loved to travel and go on fishing trips to Canada and Alaska. He was an avid Tigers and University of Michigan fan. After retirement, Don and Ruth spent summers at their home in Suttons Bay, spending time by the water brought him great joy. Don was a St. Johns City Commissioner for many years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Roesner of St. Johns, MI; daughter Mary and David Brokovich, of Fishers, IN; son Michael and Laura Roesner of Carmel, IN; daughter Linda and Michael Shilling of Charlotte, MI; son Ralph Roesner of St. Johns, MI; daughter Janet and Mark Shearer of Farmington Hills, MI; 7 grandchildren: Matthew (Kiley), Brian (Tracy), Sarah, Rachel (Joseph), Madelyn, Cole, and Kayla; 4 great grandchildren: Austin, Brayden, Everett, and Parker; sister Mona Irvine of Rockford, MI.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his infant great- granddaughter Isla Shilling, and brother Ralph Roesner.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.

04/08/2026

Rachelle Suzan “Ricki” Burk, passed away unexpectedly in Clearwater Florida, on April 6, 2026, at the age of 72.
Ricki was born on May 20, 1953, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Charles and Mary Margaret Stachel. She graduated from St. Johns High School in 1971 as class Salutatorian. She married Gary Lynn Burk on August 19, 1972, and graduated from Mercy Central School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1974. For 42 years Ricki answered her calling as a nurse, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to caring for those in need. She touched countless lives with her kind words and steady presence. Most of her career was spent caring for patients at Clinton Memorial Hospital. While working, Ricki continued her education at Central Michigan University, completing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and then a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. Before retiring in 2015, Ricki served as Vice President of Nursing at the Sparrow/Ionia Hospital.
Ricki and Gary have 3 children: Matthew (Teresa) Burk, Melanie (Jason) Near, and Megan Swartout; 9 grandchildren: Drew (Paige) Burk, Allison (Jon) Buchler, Macey (Travis) Scott, Madelyne Fowler, Gavin Burk, Konnor Near, Karsyn Near, Olivia Swartout, and Isabella Swartout; and 3 great-grandchildren: Payson Scott, Blake Burk, and Calvin Burk. She has 4 sisters: Jeanne (Rick) Hudson, Lisa (Mick) Lynch, Mary (Mike) Price, and Carrie (Brent) Simon; 1 sister-in-law, Olga Burk, 1 brother-in-law, Tom Burk, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ricki was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws (Merlin and Betty Burk), brother-in-law Larry Burk, and nephew Brandon Simon.
Ricki’s life passion was always centered on helping and caring for others. In her retirement, she enjoyed crafting, playing cards with family and friends, reading, and spending time at the lake in Harrison, Michigan, as well as at Ranch Mobile Park in Clearwater, Florida. But above all else—aside from her faith, the true loves of her life were her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Ricki was strong, fiercely loving, yet gentle. She always seemed to know exactly what to say at just the right moment. She was the “Rock” of our family, and her absence has left a place in each of us that will forever feel incomplete.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Johns, Michigan. Interment will be at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns, Michigan immediately following the mass. A luncheon will follow at the St. Johns Knights of Columbus Hall. Visitation will be Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 1pm-7pm, At Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, with family present from 1pm-3pm and 5pm-7pm.
Memorials may be made to UM Health-Sparrow Home Hospice and Harrison Knights of Columbus Hall, 212 S. Broad Street, Harrison, MI 48625. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.

04/08/2026

Not every farewell looks the same.
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Shake the ground one last time with Smith Family Funeral Homes

04/07/2026

Donald Paul Roesner, age 96, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at his home.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI.
Donald was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on December 13, 1929, the son of Ralph A. and Barbara (Abel) Roesner. Don graduated from Rockford High School, Rockford, MI, with the class of 1948. He earned a Bachelors' Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Michigan. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On September 26, 1959, Donald married Ruth Ann Dupuis at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Flint, MI.
Don worked as a pharmacist and retired from Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and gardening. Don loved to travel and go on fishing trips to Canada and Alaska. He was an avid Tigers and University of Michigan fan. After retirement, Don and Ruth spent summers at their home in Suttons Bay, spending time by the water brought him great joy. Don was a St. Johns City Commissioner for many years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns, MI.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Roesner of St. Johns, MI; daughter Mary and David Brokovich, of Fishers, IN; son Michael and Laura Roesner of Carmel, IN; daughter Linda and Michael Shilling of Charlotte, MI; son Ralph Roesner of St. Johns, MI; daughter Janet and Mark Shearer of Farmington Hills, MI; 7 grandchildren: Matthew (Kiley), Brian (Tracy), Sarah, Rachel (Joseph), Madelyn, Cole, and Kayla; 4 great grandchildren: Austin, Brayden, Everett, and Parker; sister Mona Irvine of Rockford, MI. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his infant great- granddaughter Isla Shilling, and brother Ralph Roesner.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.

04/07/2026

Doris Marie Murgittroyd, age 93 of Ithaca, MI, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 2, 2026, surrounded by her family at her home.
Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on April 10, 2026, from 5-8 P.M. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday April 11, 2026, at Ithaca Living Hope Church, located at 327 E. Center St. Ithaca, MI. Burial will take place at Lafayette Township Cemetery.
Doris was born in Orleans, MI, on March 28, 1933. She was the daughter of Don A. and Nora Myrtle (Baugham) Glazier. She graduated from Ionia High School, Ionia, MI with the Class of 1951. With her impressive knowledge of Latin, classmates voted her “most likely to become a translator for the United Nations”.
She married Jack Burton Murgittroyd Sr., on September 4, 1954, in Angola, Indiana. Together they shared sixty-two years of marriage and built a life centered on family and hard work, owning and operating Jack’s Building and Remodeling, where Doris served as the office manager.
Doris enjoyed the great outdoors with Jack. They wintered in Texas, enjoying fellowship with friends, boating, fishing and other activities. When they returned home to Michigan, they would host a big fish fry for friends and family. Doris loved the Michigan outdoors, tending to her vibrant garden of pansies and vegetables. She preserved garden produce and was known to make the best freezer jam which the kids fondly named “Mother Smucker’s”.
Some of Doris’ other interests included golf cart rides, bowling, snowmobiling, summertime walks, but most of all, she was an avid reader. She delighted in the company of her dogs, Bradie and Sabrina.
Doris was passionate about her family. She recently said “I’ve lived a lot of years and I have a wonderful family”. She will be remembered as the wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother that she was.
She is survived by her children: Terry (Ronald) Colville; Jack (Eva) Murgittroyd, Jr; Lori (Todd) Crawford; daughter-in-law RoseMary Murgittroyd; her grandchildren: Lesa (John) Neuwirth, Julie Pawalaczyk, Jon Murgittroyd, Nicholas Strickland, Brittany (Jacob) Galloway, Irene (Keven) Rivera, Maggie (Lance Creamer) Murgittroyd, Burt Murgittroyd, Rob Murgittroyd, Amanda Macias, Amber Huber, Andrea Crawford, and Thomas Crawford; and many great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers: Arthur Moulter, and Floyd (Sheila) Moulter; and her sister Darlene Ketchum. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Jack; daughters: Vickie Murgittroyd, and Debra Strickland; sons: Michael Murgittroyd, and Jim Murgittroyd; grandson John Kirn; infant grandson Michael James Murgittroyd; her sister Sharon Peterson; her brothers: Roy Magee and Louis Magee; and brother-in-law Ron Ketchum.
Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.

04/06/2026

Marsha Louise Stevens, age 71, of St. Johns, Michigan, passed away on April 1, 2026, at University of Michigan Health–Sparrow Lansing in Lansing, Michigan.
In accordance with Marsha’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date, with burial to follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns. MI.
Marsha was born in St. Johns on September 22, 1954, the daughter of Donald Duane and Wanita Catherine (Stewart) Stevens.
She attended Central Michigan University, where she earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Marsha dedicated many years to serving as a substitute teacher with St. Johns Public Schools, where she was highly respected and frequently requested by staff. She also worked for many years as a Customer Service Manager at Walmart in St. Johns, where she built lasting relationships with both coworkers and customers.
Marsha was a gifted and creative spirit, widely known for her hand-painted Christmas ornaments, which she proudly shared at local craft shows. She had a deep love for gardening and took great pride in her beautiful flower gardens—fittingly, the last scent she experienced was that of the blooms she cherished so deeply.
She was loved by her students, her colleagues in education, and her Walmart family, remaining in touch with many of them throughout her life.
Marsha’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to her wonderful neighbors and friends, whose love and support meant so much to her, especially in times of need.
She is survived by her nephew, Steven Richard Eckert II; her niece, Kimberly Kaye Eckert; her sister-in-law, Kaye Waggoner; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Wanita Stevens; her brother, Steven Richard Eckert I; and her sister, Darlene Denise Stevens.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com..
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel in St. Johns, Michigan.

04/06/2026

Employee Spotlight Of The Week.

We're proud to introduce another member of our caring team, Rick Bongard.

A familiar face, a helping hand, and a heart for serving others—Rick is here to support families every step of the way.

Take a moment to get to know Rick below!

04/03/2026

Elvin Leroy Woodcock, age 93, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis, MI, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Brian Wickes officiating. Burial will take place at Chapel Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Elvin was born in Saginaw Township, Michigan on August 29, 1932, the son of Frederick Charles and Marjorie Emma (LaLonde) Woodcock. He proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal during the Korean War, teaching artillery techniques to U.S. and South Korean personnel. On February 25, 1953, he married Emma Grace Shepard in Angola, IN. They were blessed with fifty-two years of marriage prior to her passing on September 5, 2005. He later married Gloria Shepard on February 22, 2010.
After his military service, Elvin worked for Michigan Chemical for 28 years before the company closed. He then moved on to work for Vlassic until his retirement in 1997.
Elvin was an avid outdoorsman. Any excuse to be outside was a good excuse, whether it be fishing, hunting, or mushroom foraging. True to his competitive nature, Elvin was a passionate card player that loved winning games against his family. Bowling was also one of Elvin's favorite pass times.
In spite of his competitive spirit, Elvin was a quiet soul and lived by the philosophy, "you learn more when you listen." He was a silent supporter of all of his children, and incredibly proud of all of their achievements.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gloria; his children: Deborah Gleason, Keith (Deborah) Woodcock, and Kyle (Diann) Woodcock; his daughter-in-law Elizabeth Woodcock; his step-children: Evelyn Miller, Terry Shepard, and Lorraine Crawford; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elvin was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Emma Grace Woodcock, his children: Kevin Woodcock, Tom (Karen) Fitzgerald, Lorna Kaufman, Emery Shepard, and Edward Shepard; and his son-in-law Thom Gleason.
Memorials in Elvin's honor may be made to The Care Team Hospice. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan

04/03/2026

This Easter feels a little quieter…
A little softer…
Because a part of my heart is celebrating in Heaven. 🤍
I hold on to the hope that you’re at peace,
that you’re smiling,
and that somehow… you can feel just how much you are loved and missed.
Not a day goes by without you. 🕊️✨

04/01/2026

Daniel George Saxton, age 77, of Lowell, MI, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Per Daniel’s wishes, cremation will take place, and no services are to be held.
Daniel was born in Alma, MI on January 5, 1949, the son of Russell George and Kathryn (Adams) Saxton. In 1966, he enlisted with the U.S. Marines and proudly served during the Vietnam War for many years.
Daniel owned and operated Saxton's Construction in the Alma area, and received "Contractor of the Year" awards for numerous years. He always received high praise for his workmanship.
On February 19, 2005, he married Brenda (DeHart) Saxton in Carson City, MI. Daniel and Brenda spent many wonderful years vacationing all over the country, but his favorite place of all, was Houghton Lake.
Knocking off an item on their bucket list, Daniel and Brenda also owned a bar in Linneus, Missouri called the Horseshoe Bar & Grill. They ran the bar for over six years before Daniel officially retired.
At home, Daniel could always be found rooting for the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions on TV with his beloved dog, Ally, by his side. When he was able, he enjoyed deer hunting as well.
Daniel will be missed by all that knew him. As a pillar of the community, his absence will be felt by his friends and family. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife Brenda; his children: Mindy Saxton-Thrush, Lisa (James) Conachan, and Kirk (Lisette) Saxton; his step-children: Joseph (Kathy) Curtiss, and Douglas (Logan) Rios; his grandchildren: Ashton, Collin, Brayden, Olyvia, Landyn, C**t, Jediah, Jayce, Riley, Faith, Hailey, Kyra, Skyler, and Makayla; one great-grandchild on the way, Mina; his sisters: Jeanette Rodgers, and Sue Ebright; many nieces and nephews. Daniel was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Kathryn; step-mother Lavonne Saxton; sister Bonnie Saxton; brother Russell "Jim" Saxton; brothers-in-law Chuck Rodgers, and John Ebright; and niece Nicole Ballinger.
Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.

04/01/2026

Our beloved sister, aunt, and friend, Vicki Lynn Davis, age 77, of Perrinton, MI, passed away on March 28, 2026.
She was born in Independence, Missouri on October 23, 1948. With her family she moved to Illinois, and then to Michigan, where she spent most of her life. She loved hiking and camping, with her dogs, in Michigan parks, especially in the UP.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and sister, Lisa Kozora (Ray). She is survived by her two sisters: Carla Setterington (Ed) and Cynthia Davis; nephews: Corbin Davis, Jason and Nick (Emma) Setterington and nieces: Jennifer and Sondra Setterington and great-nieces: Maria, Lucia, Talya, Isabel, and Lila Setterington.
Vicki graduated from MSU with a master’s degree in music theory and worked at Marshall Music. She had a passion for music. She loved jazz and old hymns and the oldies music from her younger years. She was a talented musician writing music and performing, playing for her church and other venues. Her specialty was percussion, especially the drums.
She also had a passion for her dogs. She always had dogs particularly, German/Dutch shepherds. She was deeply involved in training her dogs in obedience and protection. She loved her dogs.
Vicki also loved her Lord Jesus. She read her Bible faithfully and was a real prayer warrior. She loved sending Bible verses daily to her family and friends. Her faith was her foundation. It was this faith that got her through many tough times.
Vicki had something special about her that drew people to her. She was kind and always willing to help others.
Vicki will be missed by many friends and family.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. with her nephew, Nick Setterington officiating. Burial will take place at Pine Lake Cemetery, West Bloomfield, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.