Obituary for PAUL RICHARD SMITH
Paul Richard Smith, 79, of Negaunee, passed away Saturday afternoon, December 17, 2022 with his loving family by his side.
Paul was born March 5, 1943 in Ishpeming to Robert and Violet (Reichel) Smith, graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1962, and was a lifelong area resident. After graduation, he began working for CCI at the Pioneer Plant as a plant repairman, and ended his 32-year career with Cliffs at the Empire Mine in 1997.
Mr. Smith was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Ishpeming, and was a former member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, where he was the church groundskeeper, and was an altar server at over 200 funerals. He was also in the Negaunee Cribbage League. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Negaunee Miners, Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions.
Paul loved the outdoors since he was a child. He used to talk about how his mother couldn’t get him to eat dinner until late at night because he had so much to do. He was also an avid walker for many years, going up to 5 to 7 miles a day, until his illness. His biggest passion was gardening. After retirement, Paul enjoyed volunteer work, and devoted his time to St. Vincent DePaul helping to deliver hospital equipment to people’s homes.
Paul’s career as a repairman also carried over to his skill of fixing things around the home. Whenever something needed fixing, he was ‘Johnny on the spot.’ He remodeled a couple of his homes with ease. Above all, Paul enjoyed spending time with his beloved family. When his children were young they enjoyed spending their summers camping on Bass Lake. He often mentioned how his grandchildren used to hang on his back, and held his hand while taking his walks around the neighborhood. He was a lover of animals, having owned over 15 dogs in his lifetime.
Surviving are his wife, Kathleen (Rajala) Smith, and together they total eight children: his three sons: Darren Smith of Negaunee, David (Amy) Smith of Waupun, WI, and Robert (Michelle DesJardins) Smith of Negaunee; two daughters, Jane (Duane) Cotterman of Negaunee Township, and Jill (Robert) Faleafine of Kapolei, HI; his step-children: Kevin (Britt Bush) Asgaard of Grand Rapids, Gregory Asgaard of Thailand, and Heather (Brian) Hart of Auburn Hills, MI; 12 grandchildren: Kayla (Jeremy) Lee, Robert Faleafine, Jr., Rachel (Brandon) Ward, Rylee Gustafson, Lilly Cotterman, Jordan Smith, Drue Smith, Stephanie Smith, Ryan Detert, Logan and Briella Hart, and Danika Charontong; four great-grandchildren: Coraline, Owen, Amelia, and Maverick; his brother, Michael (Bryn) Smith; brothers-in-law, John Rajala; David (Ann) Jarvi, Michael (Marcia) Jarvi, James (Sheila) Jarvi, Jeff (Lora) Jarvi, James (Vicki) Skewis, and Philip ‘AJ’ Johnson; sisters-in-law: Doris Smith, Christine (Carl) Wolter and Kate Peterson; his favorite pet, Cooper; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lynnette (Jarvi) Smith; his brothers, Roland (Nancy) Smith and Gerald Smith.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, December 22nd at Bethel Lutheran Church, Ishpeming, with Rev. Steve Weston officiating. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 AM until the start of services at 11:30 AM at the church on Thursday, and also at a luncheon immediately following services in the church fellowship hall.
Mr. Smith’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com
Paul was born March 5, 1943 in Ishpeming to Robert and Violet (Reichel) Smith, graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1962, and was a lifelong area resident. After graduation, he began working for CCI at the Pioneer Plant as a plant repairman, and ended his 32-year career with Cliffs at the Empire Mine in 1997.
Mr. Smith was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Ishpeming, and was a former member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, where he was the church groundskeeper, and was an altar server at over 200 funerals. He was also in the Negaunee Cribbage League. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Negaunee Miners, Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions.
Paul loved the outdoors since he was a child. He used to talk about how his mother couldn’t get him to eat dinner until late at night because he had so much to do. He was also an avid walker for many years, going up to 5 to 7 miles a day, until his illness. His biggest passion was gardening. After retirement, Paul enjoyed volunteer work, and devoted his time to St. Vincent DePaul helping to deliver hospital equipment to people’s homes.
Paul’s career as a repairman also carried over to his skill of fixing things around the home. Whenever something needed fixing, he was ‘Johnny on the spot.’ He remodeled a couple of his homes with ease. Above all, Paul enjoyed spending time with his beloved family. When his children were young they enjoyed spending their summers camping on Bass Lake. He often mentioned how his grandchildren used to hang on his back, and held his hand while taking his walks around the neighborhood. He was a lover of animals, having owned over 15 dogs in his lifetime.
Surviving are his wife, Kathleen (Rajala) Smith, and together they total eight children: his three sons: Darren Smith of Negaunee, David (Amy) Smith of Waupun, WI, and Robert (Michelle DesJardins) Smith of Negaunee; two daughters, Jane (Duane) Cotterman of Negaunee Township, and Jill (Robert) Faleafine of Kapolei, HI; his step-children: Kevin (Britt Bush) Asgaard of Grand Rapids, Gregory Asgaard of Thailand, and Heather (Brian) Hart of Auburn Hills, MI; 12 grandchildren: Kayla (Jeremy) Lee, Robert Faleafine, Jr., Rachel (Brandon) Ward, Rylee Gustafson, Lilly Cotterman, Jordan Smith, Drue Smith, Stephanie Smith, Ryan Detert, Logan and Briella Hart, and Danika Charontong; four great-grandchildren: Coraline, Owen, Amelia, and Maverick; his brother, Michael (Bryn) Smith; brothers-in-law, John Rajala; David (Ann) Jarvi, Michael (Marcia) Jarvi, James (Sheila) Jarvi, Jeff (Lora) Jarvi, James (Vicki) Skewis, and Philip ‘AJ’ Johnson; sisters-in-law: Doris Smith, Christine (Carl) Wolter and Kate Peterson; his favorite pet, Cooper; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lynnette (Jarvi) Smith; his brothers, Roland (Nancy) Smith and Gerald Smith.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, December 22nd at Bethel Lutheran Church, Ishpeming, with Rev. Steve Weston officiating. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 AM until the start of services at 11:30 AM at the church on Thursday, and also at a luncheon immediately following services in the church fellowship hall.
Mr. Smith’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com