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Craig Smith Obituary
Craig D. Smith, 68, of Watervliet passed away in the presence of his family at his residence on Sunday, March 16, 2025, following a brief illness.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Watervliet. Visitation with the family will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 20. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Those wishing to share a memory or leave a message for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
Craig was born on May 22, 1956, in St. Joseph to Henry and Priscilla Smith. He was a graduate of Watervliet High School. On Aug. 14, 1982, he married the former Donna Carnes and during their 42 years of marriage went on to raise their own family of two children. Craig had previously been employed at Michigan Paving and Materials for 20 years. Having grown up around Paw Paw Lake, Craig enjoyed camping, sailing and swimming. He also had a passion for woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren.
Craig is survived by his wife, Donna; son, Lee (Courtney) Smith of Hartford; daughter, Amber (David) Pokorny of Paw Paw; grandchildren: Caydence, David, Sofia, Lainey, Emma, Theo, Valerie and Calvin; sisters: Dede (Al) Blinkman of New Auburn, Wis., and JoLynn Kendzora (Dennis Camp) of Staunton, Va., and his brother, David (Yvonne) Smith of Sister Lakes.
Craig was preceded in death by his parents.
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Memories and Condolences
for Craig Smith
Kim Walker
March 23, 2025
The world was a brighter place with Craig and our family knows just how lucky we were that he was a part of our lives. You will never meet a more devoted husband, father, papa. To me he was a brother and a friend. Always letting me tag along when I was a young girl and as I grew up he always let me tag a log with my kids for camping trips. He led an adventurous life and always had a good story to tell over a beer or two. I feel blessed to have had him in our lives. He will always live on in my heart and memories.
Rebecca Kahl
March 21, 2025
I know I didn´t tell a story for Craig, or didn´t think I could have held it together enough to in person, but if I did I would have said that uncle Craig was a person that you could always count on, he was in fast action with me when I fell into the water to make sure I was safe as a small child, and he was first to save me when I was stranded by the side of the road (and from being alone with a weird tow truck guy), I remember him apologizing a couple times for being in his work clothes that day, but he looked like a knight in shining armor to me. He once said he was glad I was coming around more, and growing a relationship with Amber and Lee and happy to see how well I was doing for myself. I will forever miss the time I didn´t get to spend hearing more of his stories at the bar. I love you aunt Donna, Amber and Lee.
SHERRY AND KEVIN
March 20, 2025
CRAIG WAS A LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER, A FRIEND TO ALL HE MET. HE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED , WE ALL LOVED HIM VERY MUCH. THE WORLD WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER PLACE IF WE ALL ASPIRE TO BE MORE LIKE HIM.
Jason R Carnes
March 19, 2025
Graig was always there to help anyone who needed it. That was the kind of person he was. One of the nicest I have ever met and proud to have known.
Neal Story
March 19, 2025
I had many fond memories with Craig and considered him a good friend. Joy and I send our condolences to Donna and the rest of the family.
Tom (Rusty) Beezley
March 18, 2025
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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Memorial Events
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Mar
20
Funeral services provided by:
Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home6548 Paw Paw Ave, Coloma, MI 49038
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