Rosemary Ann Smitley, 83, of Athens, formerly of Union City, passed away Monday, December 5, 2022 at Select Specialty Hospital in Battle Creek.
A private funeral service will be held at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation with Pastor Steve Shafe officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Union City.
A public gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date.
Rosemary was born February 21, 1939 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Elgie and Nellie (Shafer) Robnolt. She grew up in Battle Creek and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1957. On June 28, 1958, Rosemary married Fred Smitley at the Lakeview Baptist Church in Battle Creek. The couple celebrated 64 years of marriage earlier this year.
Rosemary attended Western Michigan University, earning both a bachelor’s degree (1962) and a master’s degree (1971) in education. From 1961-1996, she was employed by Union City Community Schools, teaching in Union City and Sherwood, primarily at the second-grade level. She ran a well-organized classroom and was loved and respected by students and staff.
Outside of work, Rosemary was very engaged in local activities. She attended Lakeview Baptist Church and the First Congregational Church in Union City, where she played in the bell choir. She played piano, sang with the Sweet Adelines and she and her husband belonged to the Wagon Wheels Square Dance Club. Additionally, Rosemary was a Brownie leader, participated in a Bridge group, was a member of the Friends of the Library, and enjoyed camping, traveling, socializing and listening to music.
She also enthusiastically watched her children, grandchildren and former students participate in their activities. Rosemary and Fred lived most of their married life in the Union City area, moving to Athens only in recent years.
Rosemary is survived by her husband, Fred; her children, Michael (Annette) Smitley of Athens and Lori (Brian) Vaccaro of Union City; grandchildren, Jacob (Sara) Smitley of Allegan, Seth (Chelsey) Vaccaro of Milford and Lucas (Shaylyn O’Brien) Vaccaro of Grandville; great-grandchildren Coulson Smitley and Amelia Vaccaro; a brother, Jon Robnolt of Avon Park, FL; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Union Township Library, 195 N. Broadway Street, Union City, MI 49094.
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