Vernor Smith

Vernor Glenn Smith, age 93, of St. Johns, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, surrounded by family after a brief illness. He was the best father and husband ever.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 2, from 2–4 p.m. at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, with The Rev. Fr. Mike Williams officiating. A luncheon will follow at AgroLiquid. Interment will take place at a later date at Mt. Rest Cemetery.
Vernor was born in Gros Cap, just west of St. Ignace, Michigan, on May 18, 1932, the son of Cecil E. and Anna E. (Trerice) Smith. He was the 11th of 12 children. He grew up on the bluff in Gros Cap and attended Gros Cap Elementary and LaSalle High School in St. Ignace, graduating in 1951.
After high school, Vernor served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon returning home, he helped with the construction of the Mackinac Bridge. He married Patricia Ann Morin on August 24, 1957, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St. Ignace, and together they shared 68 wonderful years and raised five children.
Vern retired from the State of Michigan Department of Transportation in 1994. He was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, a member of the American Legion Post 153, and a longtime member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He enjoyed golfing, was an excellent carpenter, and loved spending time at the family cottage on Higgins Lake-especially captaining his pontoon.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Pat Smith; sons, Scott (Sue) Smith of Saginaw, V. Michael (Terri) Smith of Lansing, and Sean (Amy) Smith of DeWitt; daughters, Patricia (Blaine) Simon of Holt and Lisa (Ted) Suidgeest of St. Johns; grandchildren, Scott (Kayla) Smith and Melissa (Todd) Kurtz; Telah and Sam Smith; Sean (Jessica) Smith, Mitchell Smith, and Hannah (Cameron) Legg; Elizabeth (Paul) Wolf; and Jamie (Adam) Vanden Berg, Lauren, David, and Jacob Suidgeest; great-grandchildren, Sean Brendan (Madi) Smith; Irelyn, Ana, and Melody Smith; Iris, Clover, and Wesley Kurtz; Daniel Vanden Berg; and Lydia, Max, and Otto Wolf. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Nancy (Gustafson) Smith of St. Ignace and Bonnie (Glazier) Smith Yordy of Ithaca, along with many beloved nieces and nephews-as you can imagine.
Vernor was preceded in death by his parents, eleven siblings, and grandchildren, Jared, Tara, and Taryn Smith.
Memorial contributions in Vern's name may be made to Mother Teresa House for the care of the terminally ill, in Lansing, Michigan (P.O. Box 13004, Lansing, MI 48901).
For further information, phone McGeehan Funeral Home at 989-224-4422.