Loreen Kay Smith

Loreen Kay Smith, a resident of Vestaburg, Michigan, was called home to her Lord while surrounded by her loving family on January 7, 2026.
She was born on August 6, 1939, in Howell, Michigan, the daughter of Wesley James Filkins and Ruby (Maxwell) Filkins. After the death of her mother, Ruby, Loreen was raised by her father and mother, Zeta Filkins. She grew up in Howell and was a graduate of Howell High School, where she enjoyed playing the piano and trombone in theatre productions.
On May 27, 1958, over Memorial Day weekend, Loreen married the love of her life, John Wesley Smith. Their story began when John, a mechanic, helped repair her car-several times. Together they shared nearly sixty-seven years of marriage and built a life centered on family, faith, and hard work.
After raising her family, Loreen returned to school to pursue nursing-a profession she was deeply proud of. She began her career at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, and later at a private physician's practice in DeWitt before starting a long and meaningful career at Clinton Memorial Hospital in St. Johns. Loreen made many lifelong friends through her work and inspired her daughter Cheryl to serve at the hospital as well.
John and Loreen made their home in DeWitt before retiring to Vestaburg, where they especially loved living on Bass Lake. Loreen enjoyed canning vegetables and was known for her perfected pickle recipe. She loved camping and trailer traveling throughout northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. She delighted in yard sales and collecting vintage glassware. She and John traveled with lifelong friends Dave and Kitty and cherished quieter moments doing jigsaw puzzles and watching Michigan State basketball games with her husband.
A woman of deep faith, Loreen played the piano and organ for the Methodist and St. Ann Episcopal churches in DeWitt. Her faith guided her life, and she was at peace, knowing where she was going-ready to go home and to be reunited with her husband. Sharp and strong to the very end, Loreen lived her life with purpose and grace.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Wesley Smith in May of last year, and her son, John David Smith.
Loreen is survived by her sons, Mitchell (Karen Giles-Smith) Smith and Dan (the late Rachelle) Smith; her daughter, Cheryl (Rick) Longstreet; grandchildren, Georgia Smith, Wesley (Heather) Smith, Emily (Zack) Rodgers, Nicole (John) Zaborney, Jacob Longstreet, and Alyssa Bernardi; great-grandchildren, Madilynn, Connor, Everly, Faith, Austin, Harper, Henry, and a great-granddaughter on the way; sisters, Carole (the late Francis "Stub") Gardner and Janice (the late Ed) Nordman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Parkway, St. Johns, on Friday, January 23rd, at 10AM. Friends and family may gather from 9AM until the time of service. A private family interment will follow in DeWitt Cemetery.