Beaverton Historical Society
Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
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Berton Smith
Berton Elwood Smith, 81, of Midland, surrounded by his family at home, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday, July 4, 2005. Bert has fought a courageous battle with cancer for the past 14 months. Bert was born to Elwood and Grace (Anderson) Smith on March 17, 1924 in Midland.
Bert married Pearl (Bilow) Smith on May 11, 1946 at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Midland.
Bert was raised and educated in Midland before joining the U.S. Army in 1942. Bert honorably served his country during World War II for 43 months. He served in the European African theatre from March 1942 to Nov. 1945.
Bert retired from Dow Chemical in 1980, after 34 years in the instrument department of the powerhouse. During Bert’s retirement years, he and Pearl wintered in Lakeland, Florida and were members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. They returned to Michigan for the summer months to Beaverton, where they were members of St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
Bert was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of the American Legion, honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, past Grand Knight of the Midland Council of the K of C, and a member of the Fourth Degree K of C Color Corps. Bert was also a member of the Billings Township Senior Citizens.
Bert loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren greatly and enjoyed watching them play baseball, softball, hockey and soccer. He attended many of these events and followed them in many states during the past 25 years.
Bert is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Pearl; and daughters, Kay Lynn Rider and Judy Linton. Bert loved, respected and was very proud of his two sons-in-law, Jack Rider and Bill Linton. Bert is also survived by five grandchildren, Jodi King and Bob Linton of Midland, Kurt and Kyle Rider of Tennessee and Chuck Marshall of Lake Wales, Florida, 12 great grandchildren; a brother, Vernon (Kathryn) Smith of Virginia Beach, Virginia; half-brothers, Lyle (Marianne) Smith and Jim (Doris) Smith; half-sisters, Gladys Woodcock and Fran (Charles) Longsdorf; stepbrother, Don (Jeanette) Bloomfield, all of Midland. Bert was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Berton Elwood Smith Jr.; granddaughter, Angela Kay Rider; brothers and sisters, Kenneth Smith, Violet Skinner Bardwell, Ruth O’Connor, Duane Bloomfield and Bob Bloomfield.
Bert was your best friend, devoted to everyone and was truly loved by many and will be deeply missed.
Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2005 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Edenville with Rev. Father Raymond Moeggenberg and Sister Mary Ellen McDonald presiding. A 2:30 p.m. committal service was held Friday in New Calvary Cemetery with full military honors presented by the Midland Area Veterans and the Michigan Army National Guard. Bert’s family received friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street, Midland, on Thursday and Friday at the church. A Christian vigil service was held Thursday at the funeral home.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider St. Anne’s Catholic Church, PO Box 512, Coleman MI 48618.
If you are unable to visit with the family in person, you may send your condolences at www.waresmithwoolever.com.
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| Personal Information
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Death Date
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Burial/Final Location
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Service
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07/04/2005
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NEw Calvary Cemetery, Midland, MI
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WWII
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| Publication Information
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Pub. Date
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Publication
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Pub. Page
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07/13/2005
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Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
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P:A2 C:?
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| Transcription Information
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Date
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Transcribed by
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Source Media
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September 2009
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Bob Frei
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Microfilm
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