Vernon Russell Smith ²

   FamilySearch ID: GZW9-9XN.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Obituary: on 5 Apr 2015 in Hastings, Barry, MI, United States. ² On Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2015, Vernon Russell Smith reunited with his beloved wife, Hilda, who passed away on Christmas Day two years prior. Vern left this world peacefully in the comfort of his own bed, surrounded by loved ones. Vern was the son of Howard and Glenna Marie Smith.

He attended the Hastings area schools, graduating in 1939. During his high school years he played baseball and worked as a caddy for the Hastings Country Club. In his senior year he was voted Best Pitcher of the West Central League.

After high school, he moved to Detroit where he worked in manufacturing, until being drafted into the Army. He proudly served his country from November 19, 1942 thru October 8, 1945. He achieved the rank of Sargent, as a tank commander in Patton's 3rd Army, 10th Armored Division, and Company B. He received the Bronze Star for capturing seven Nazi SS soldiers, and fought in, and lived to tell his family, about the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war ended he established and operated an Enlisted Men's Club in Germany, until he was discharged from the military. He then returned to the Hastings area, where he married the love of his life, Hilda A. Shawman on July 2, 1946, and settled in to raise his family.

Vern worked mostly in manufacturing, although he did work a short time in the banking industry, as head teller for the Hastings City Bank. He worked most of his life, and retired from, the E.W. Bliss Co. He was a bench assembler, a production scheduler, and a machinist. During his time at the Bliss, he set up a Credit Union for the employees.

For enjoyment Vern loved to hunt, watch Tiger baseball, and he relentlessly cut brush, and mowed lawn with his push mower.

In his 93 years, Vern touched many lives. From his military service during World War II, to his many years at the E.W. Bliss Company, and finally in his closing years with his family and close friends.

Vern had much to share with us. He taught those of us who knew him the true meaning of loyalty and generosity. He always put other people's needs ahead of his own. As a husband, he would think nothing of spending hundreds of dollars on work clothes for his wife, but not buy himself a new pair of jeans because they cost too much. As a father, he was always there for every life event, from working parties to birthday parties. He even volunteered to help move his daughter to her new home, in the middle of an ice storm. As a grandfather, he spent weeks driving to every McDonald's imaginable just to find the one happy meal toy his grandchildren wanted. He performed countless acts of kindness for his friends, neighbors, and acquaintances- from giving money during hard times, to donating his own personal belongings, to just sitting and talking with others during painful times in their lives.

Although not perfect-as he himself would be quick to point out-he was an honest man and he was a true friend. If he told you he would do something, he did it. Period. You could count on him. His word was his bond.

Those of us who knew him all feel diminished by this loss, and feel fortunate to have had him in our lives. He taught us some extremely valuable lessons about friendships and relationships that we will never forget.

Vern is survived by his daughter, Vicki M. Burghdoff of Coloma; son-in-law, Larry Burghdoff; grandsons, Matthew Burghdoff of Alexandria, VA and Nicholas Burghdoff of Las Vegas, NV.

He was preceded in death by his wife Hilda, parents, Howard and Glena Smith, and sister, Arabelle Redfern.

To honor his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held for Vern and his belated wife 66 years, Hilda, at Fort Custer Memorial Cemetery in Augusta Michigan on Tuesday April 14 with full military honors.

Lauer Family Funeral Homes in Hastings has been entrusted to care for Vernon's family.

Vernon married Hilda Arloa Shawman on 2 Jul 1946 in Michigan, United States.¹ (Hilda Arloa Shawman was born on 27 Jul 1925 in Hastings, Barry, MI, United States,³ died on 25 Dec 2012 in Hastings, Barry, MI, United States ³ and was buried in Augusta, Kalamazoo, MI, United States ³.)