David R. Smith

David Ryder Smith passed away peacefully at home with his loved ones on May 15th, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and fulfillment. 

David came into this world on December 19th, 1929 during a record snowstorm with snow up to the windows of the family home. David told the story of how his dad drove their old truck to Plymouth to get the midwife the night he was born. There, David grew up with his mom and dad Clyde and Beaulah Smith, brother Everett and sisters Marilyn and Joyce. 

He worked on the farm as a child and throughout his life he and Everett built the farm into a thriving family business. Family and hundreds of people from the community worked there throughout the years. 

David was an avid outdoors-man. He loved deer hunting up north in Osineke, MI. with his brother, friends, son Dave and grandsons Shawn and Casey. David famously said he shot 88 bucks in his lifetime. David also loved fishing on his boat in Lake Michigan. He and his wife Edna made many lifelong friends at their cottage in Onekama. 

David and Edna loved traveling together and watching a good cowboy movie with a piece of apple pie. David cherished the time he had holding all of his great grandchildren when they were babies. 

David is survived by his wife Edna of 69 years  and their three children David Smith Jr. and wife Sandy, Carol McCreedy, Barbara Strong and husband Leonard. Grandchildren - Michelle Rais, Nicole Gallari and husband Peter, Melissa Smith, Casey McCreedy and wife Jessica, Shawn McCreedy and wife Tiffany, Kyle Strong and wife Rachelle, Kory Strong, Kody Strong and wife Jenny, Kortney Strong and twenty great-grandchildren Ani, Amelia, Luca, Nando, Ryder, Hunter, Carter, Lilah, Connor, Shane, Luke, Samantha, Summer, Cooper, Quinn, Niall, Charlie, Brody, Cossette, Ivan and sister Marilyn.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the funeral service beginning at 6:00 P.M.