Helen M. Smith

November 16, 1908 - March 1, 2012

Helen M. Smith of Tustin died Thursday, March 1, 2012 under the loving care of Sunnyside Senior Living in Cadillac where she had been for a year and a half. She was 103. She was born on November 16, 1908 in Tustin to Sven Andrew & Carolina (Nelson) Samuelson. She married Clifford D. Smith and he preceded her in death in 1961. Helen was a school teacher in one room schoolhouses in Tustin, Muskegon, Maple Ridge and then on to Mona Shores where she retired from in 1972. As a teacher Helen enjoyed her summers and weekends at the old farm house in Tustin and then it was back to work in Muskegon. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tustin for many years. Mrs. Smith enjoyed playing cribbage, bingo, phone conversations, crocheting, traveling (going to the Holy lands was one of her highlights) and her many coffee chats friends and family. Survivors include her children: Belva June (Gene) Turner of Twin Lake, Gerald Smith of Tustin, Sonja (Karl) Westman of Cadillac, Wayne (Sherri) Smith of Muskegon; daughter-in-law, Cindy Smith of Mount Pleasant; 12 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ruby Samuelson of Lansing; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Carroll, Arthur and Clarence Samuelson and 2 sisters: Florence Samuelson and Madeline VanBergan. Funeral services will be held 2:30 PM Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac with Reverend Sean Nemecek officiating. Burial will be at Burdell Township Cemetery in Osceola County. Friends may meet the family from 1:30 PM Sunday until time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Tustin. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.