Ralph M. "Smitty" Smith
East Lansing, Michigan
Loving husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, friend, and brother of many. Born August 13, 1949 in Hudsonville, Michigan to Virgil and Lilian Smith, passed away June 2, 2012 at the age of 62. Ralph served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. He worked as an inspector for General Motors.
Smitty was a member of the "Family Motorcycle Club" for 40 years. He was described as "one of a kind" and "a free spirit". Smitty loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He loved to tinker.
Smitty was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Morrow; his parents; brothers, Earl and Frank Smith; sister, Dorothy Crawford and brother-in-law, Donald Kwiatkowski. He is survived by his wife, Debra; daughter, Tracy (Jon) Farthing, Marilee (Mark) Hawkins and Brandi Smith; sons, Brad (Sarah) Blankenship and Dustin Smith; 9 grandchildren; brothers, Tom (Jan) Sjoerdsma and Ted (Kathy) Sjoerdsma; sisters, Leta Kwiatkowski, Betty (Don) Foster, Carol (Dave) Wolters, Pauline (Ralph) Lovell and Bonnie (Kiehl) Jennett; and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 8, 12:00 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent Home for Children, 2800 W. Willow St, Lansing, MI 48917 in Ralph's memory. On line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com