Everett Smith

Everett O. Smith, age 78 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 6:51 a.m. on Monday, October 31, 2016 at The Center for Hospice Care in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness.

He was born on March 14, 1938 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Everett C. and Lucinda Elizabeth (Crego) Smith. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1957, and continued his education at the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He enlisted in the United States Navy, and served in a U.S.Marine Corps company in Viet Nam. He was discharged as a Veteran of the Viet Nam Era, and returned to this area where he was employed at the former Unity Hospital in Buchanan, Michigan. He was later employed at Delta Industries in Niles, and retired from the former Buchanan plant of the Electro-Voice company.

Everett was a member of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles, and was a great fan of the University of Notre Dame football team. He enjoyed running – always competing against himself for a better time – and reading about American History and working in his yard. As a father, he was a dedicated volunteer to the former Troop #574 of the Boy Scouts of America.

On June 10, 1972 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Buchanan he married the former Karen D. Masek with whom he celebrated earlier this year the forty-fourth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Karen Smith and their sons, Matthew B. (& Yui) Smith of Niles and Michael Everett (& Beth) Smith of Urbana, Illinois; granddaughters Erin, Leyla, Anna, and Avery Smith; and Everett’s sister, Marion Eldred of Niles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucinda Smith and Everett C. and Mildred (Herzig) Smith.

The funeral service for Everett O. Smith will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Mission Hills, and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Everett may be made to the American Cancer Society, Post Office Box 22478, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123; or to Troop #759, Boy Scouts of America, c/o Saint Mary Catholic Church, 211 South Lincoln Street, Niles, Michigan 49120.