Joann Smithson

JOANN SMITHSON

Joann Smithson, 80, of Cass City, died Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Tuscola County Medical Care Facility. She was born February 23, 1945 in Bad Axe to John and Mary “Marge” (Peters) Zawilinski. She married James Willard Smithson on September 21, 1963 in Cass City. He died October 19, 2015. 

Joann graduated from Cass City High School in 1963. She worked in the office at Cass City Intermediate Schools. Later, Joann worked as a bank teller for Pinney Bank, Cass City State Bank, and Chemical State Bank until her retirement. She enjoyed tending to her beautiful flower beds. Joann was fond of traveling with her husband Jim. She was a member of Our Lady Consolata, Cass City. Joann was an active player with a card party club for fifty years. Her main focus was always on her family and she was a master of organizing the family get togethers.

Joann is survived by her children: Jim (Deb) Smithson, Jr. of Churubusco, IN; Jeff (Gretchen Gersonde) Smithson of St. Joseph; grandchildren: Rob Smithson, Megan Patterson, Kelsey Patterson; siblings: Al (Melojean) Zawilinski of Bay City; John Zawilinski of Bay City; Rick Zawilinski of Berwick, LA; brother-in-law, Dennis Powell of Cass City; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, James; daughter, Julie Patterson; brother, Jerry Zawilinski; sister, Linda Powell.

Funeral service held 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Deacon David Gillespie of Our Lady Consolata Parish officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Memorials may be made Friends of Rawson Memorial Library.

Visitation: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City 

Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City