Laura Smith age 87 of Sand Lake passed away December 22, 2017 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. She was born May 6, 1930 in Courtland Township the daughter of Albert and Grace (Stewart) Becker.  During her working years she worked as a seamstress as well as working in a factory for several years. She enjoyed sewing, plastic canvas, crafts, camping, fishing, gardening and swinging on the swing in the front yard. Surviving are her children, Dan (Jane) Smith of Pierson, Margaret Merritt of Sand Lake, Sandra (Harold – Trez) McConnell of Sparta, Edward (Karin) Smith Jr. of Ohio, Randy (Roxie) Smith of Texas, John (Cheryl) Smith of Sand Lake, Lori (Scott) Wesche of Howard City; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Martha Parker; one brother, Kenneth Becker; a sister-in-law Dorothy Briggs; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward, and seven brothers and sisters. The family greeted friends on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and prior to services on Thursday. Funeral services will take place on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Heckman Funeral Home in Howard City with Pastor Richard Nichols officiating with burial in the Pierson Cemetery. Luncheon at 12 noon to 2 pm at the Sand Lake VFW. In lieu of flowers gift donations can be made in Laura’s honor at Howard City Action Center, 132 E. Edgerton, Howard City, MI 49329.

Arrangements by Heckman Funeral Home, Howard City

Edward J. Smith, age 89, of Sand Lake passed away at his residence on August 22, 2015.  He was born April 12, 1926 in Lakeview, the son of John and Margaret Smith.  As a teenager, Ed worked for his brother, Francis, at Smitty’s Garage in Lakeview.  He also worked delivering coal in the Lakeview area.  He served his country in the US Army during WWII and was a member of the Sand Lake VFW Post.  After the war he worked for Dohler Jarvis in Grand Rapids and Toledo as a die cast repair man, retiring after 35 years. Ed never lost his love for auto mechanics and was noted in Sand Lake for being able to fix most anything.  He was always willing to help neighbors and the Village of Sand Lake with repairs.  Many children learned how to repair their bicycles from Ed.  Ed loved to fish, hunt and camp. He enjoyed riding motorcycle and fast cars. He also loved to restore old cars and tractors.  Ed and his wife Laura could often be found sitting on the swing in their front yard.  In his senior years Ed rarely missed Friday music at the Howard City Senior Center. Surviving are his wife Laura; children, Dan (Jane) Smith of Pierson, Margaret Merritt of Sand Lake, Sandra (Harold) McConnell of Sparta, Edward (Karin) Jr. Smith of Ohio, Randy (Roxie) Smith of Texas, John (Cheryl) Smith of Sand Lake, Lori (Scott) Wesche of Howard City; 23 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; one sister Dorothy Briggs of Muskegon; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Francis and Ray Smith and one sister Charlotte Rogalewski. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, August 29^th at 11 am at the Heckman Funeral Home in Howard City with burial in the Pierson Cemetery, where Military Honors will be conducted by the Howard City VFW Post.  The family will greet friends on Friday, August 28^th  from 2-4 and 6-8 pm and prior to services on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Howard City Senior Center, 132 E. Edgerton, PO Box 399, Howard City, MI 49329  Attention Delores Becker.

Arrangements by Heckman Funeral Home, Howard City

Berkley, age 3, and Sullivan Armstrong, 8 months, are shown enjoying the festivities at the Sand Lake VFW Friday night, December 13. They reportedly loved the bounce house, hot wheels track and decorating star cupcakes with their grandma and grandpa Ruth and Donald Armstrong.