Sheila Esther Smith's Obituary
Sheila Esther Smith transitioned peacefully to eternity on November 13, 2025 at the age of 90.Sheila Esther Cross was born in Edmore, Michigan on August 27, 1935, to Nihl Monroe and Lillian Marguerite (Gyger) Cross. Sheila grew up near Entrican where as a young girl she helped on the family farm with indoor and outdoor chores and learned to play piano, which she continued to enjoy throughout her life. She attended Entrican Country School and later graduated from Lakeview High School in 1953. That same year she was crowned Montcalm's Dairy Queen. Shortly thereafter she began her nearly 38 year career at Carboloy (General Electric) later becoming Hitachi Magnetics Corp. in Edmore, MI. A highlight of her career was winning a trip to Japan!Sheila married her high school sweetheart Duane Thomas Smith on June 19, 1954. Together they raised their daughter Robin and son Joel in the village of Lakeview. Loving parents, they enjoyed family camping trips, snowmobile trips, and instilled a strong work ethic in their children that would persist through generations. Sheila and Duane cultivated the importance of family and continued to enjoy camping, making many memorable trips with grandchildren. Sheila always enjoyed browsing new recipes and making special dinners for the family. Many of her specialties will live on such as homemade vanilla ice cream, beef and noodles, goulash, and puppy chow.Always socially vibrant, Sheila and Duane spent years dancing with the Tamarack Twirlers Square Dance Club, never missing an opportunity to dress up and have fun! In retirement, they spent winters in Zephyrhills, FL with many old friends as well as new ones. Sheila always enjoyed playing her electric organ and friends enjoyed hearing the music.Sheila was a proud two time cancer survivor of over 25 years; first a Merkel cell skin cancer and then breast cancer just a few years later. Sheila was a member of the United Church of Christ in Lakeview and gratefully praised the Lord for these victories.After 51 years of devoted marriage, Duane passed away in 2005. Having never enjoyed being alone, Sheila was blessed when Paul Reisner was captivated by her smile from across the yard at a summer party. The two were a perfect match in their golden years. She often remarked how lucky she was to have had two "good-looking" and special men in her life.Sheila is survived by her daughter Robin and son-in-law Michael Poulsen of Trufant; her son Joel and daughter-in-law Cindy of Stanwood; grandchildren Jason (Michele) Poulsen, Sara (Mark) Adair, Amanda (Sean) Wethington, Katie (Jeremy) Sparrow, Alison (Rich) Gridley; great grandchildren Jack and Joseph Adair, Barrett and Berkeley Wethington, and Nolan and Everett Sparrow; and brothers-in-law Bernard Smith and Clair Smith.Sheila was preceded in death by her husband Duane; parents Nihl and Lillian; siblings Doris (Marvin) Cannon, Noreen (Mick) Abbey, and Robert (Altona) Cross; father-in-law Francis Smith, mother-in-law Ilo Smith, siblings-in-law Don (Lou) Smith, Shirley Smith and Jean Smith.A service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Janowicz Family Funeral Home in Lakeview with Pastor Bill Dodge officiating followed by a graveside service at Lakeview Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 10:00 AM until the time of service.Donations may be made to Interim Hospice in honor of Sheila. Care and arrangements have been entrusted to Janowicz Family Funeral Home-Lakeview.
What’s your fondest memory of Sheila?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sheila?
Share a story where Sheila's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sheila you’ll never forget.
How did Sheila make you smile?