John C. Smith

The magnificent life of John Clare Smith, ended peacefully, at home, surrounded by his entire family, on Thanksgiving Night. John, one of the most generous souls you could meet, was born in West Unity Ohio on March 27, 1935, to Paul and Minnie Smith. As a child, his family moved many times, living at times in Ohio, Florida and Michigan. John disliked all the moving around as a kid, so he made sure his family was settled in one location when he was a father. His family landed in Michigan when he was older, and he attended and graduated Hastings High School in 1953. After graduation, while working in a Kellogg Warehouse, he met lifelong friend Dean Barnum, who convinced him to attend college at Western Michigan University. While keeping a night job at Kellogg's, John worked his way through college and graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Political Science in 1958 and was awarded a fellowship to attend the University of Michigan. He and Dean attended the University of Michigan where he graduated with a master's degree in political science in 1960. In 1961, while working as a Political Science Teacher at Harper Creek High school, he met the love of his life Carole "Green-Green" Greer and after some time and convincing, they dated and were married in June of 1963. After two years of service in Nigeria, in the Peace Corp, John and Carole settled on Fremont Street in Battle Creek, where they raised four children, and their always busy household, helped raise the twenty other kids that lived in the neighborhood. John found his passion and life's work as a Political Science Professor at Kellogg Community College, where he worked to develop the young minds of the Battle Creek community from 1968 to 2005. In 1976, John and Carole, with some trepidation, decided to purchase Ackers Point Resort on Long Lake in Cloverdale Michigan. The summer resort turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences for themselves, their children and now, their grandchildren. Every summer, from 1976 to present day, returning guests, some with generations of family, come from all over the U.S. to rent a cottage at Ackers Point. The long-time friendships, fun and families, make Ackers Point a truly special place. From 1976 until his death, John worked tirelessly to keep up the property that brings joy and kindship to so many guests. John is survived by his wife Carole Smith, his sisters Jan Henry and Linda Smith, his brother Dan Smith, his daughters: Sloane Hutson, Courtney Weirsema, his sons: Graham and Clint Smith, his in-laws: Tim Hutson, Jason Wiersema, Sally Smith, Amy Young and his grandchildren: Brandon, Hayden, and Addison Hutson, Jaeger, Viviana, Ward and Rafferty Smith, Evelynn and Caeli Wiersema. We are very sad to lose such a great husband, brother, father and grandfather, but we are so much more grateful for the gift that he was in our lives as well as the lives of all the people he loved, all the students he taught, all the guests he hosted, all the families and friendships he helped foster. He lived a humble, inspiring life that will carry forward. We would like to thank all the caregivers who helped take care of John for the last few years of his life. Special thanks to Visiting Angels, our friends and staff at the Pennock Health Center, Katherine (I don't know her last name), and Jeremy Bower.
A visitation will be held, Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Williams-Gores Funeral Home (133 E Orchard St, Delton, MI 49046). John's funeral service will take place Friday, December 5, 2025, 10:00 AM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church (11149 Floria Rd, Delton, MI 49046). In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now) or planting a tree in John's memory will be appreciated.
Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for John's family.