Catherine Joyce Smith

Catherine Joyce Smith, 81, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away peacefully on 10/5/2025 at home. She was born on April 24,1944 in Plainwell, MI to the late Richard and Ruth Oetman.

Cathy was an active member of Martin United Methodist Church and the Methodist NOMADS. She enjoyed chatting with anyone, telling stories, and loved hearing jokes. Cathy graduated from Martin High School in 1963. She went on to be a Cosmetologist and then moved on to working for Parchment School District where she retired.

A devoted wife and mother, Cathy dedicated her life to her family. Cathy is survived by her current husband David Smith Sr., her children: Bonnie (Scott) Maschke, Anthony Verhage, and Jane (Steven) Clark; her stepchildren: David Smith Jr and Diane (Larry) Lombardo; her grandchildren: Johnathan Clark, Matthew Clark, and Maxwell Maschke, and her brother Bill Oetman.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Verhage, and her siblings Eddie Oetman, Mary Jean Schnicke, Joan Horton, and Aileen Rose.

Visit with family and friends on Thursday, October 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Avink, McCowen and Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society; 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881). A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.

While visiting Cathy’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.