LeRoy Smith, 94, of Coldwater passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at LakeHouse in Three Rivers.
The funeral service will be held Monday, December 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson with Pastor Tim Rowland from the Bronson First Baptist Church officiating.
Interment will follow the service at Batavia Cemetery with Military Honors presented by the American Legion, Post #52, Drill Team.
Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson.
LeRoy was born April 10, 1930, in Quincy, MI to Walter & Zenna (Lindsey) Smith. He served in the US Navy aboard the CINCNELM flagship, traveling all over Europe during the Korean War.
He married Barbara Deranek, the mother of his three children, on Aug. 10, 1952, they divorced in 1970. He married Bonnie B. Bercaw on January 16, 1971, in Bronson, MI. She preceded him in death May 6, 2013.
Lee owned and operated his family farm for many years. He worked various jobs throughout his career, primarily working security at the State Home for 20 years. He then worked at Camp Branch until his first retirement in 1989.
Lee went back to work delivering fertilizer for local companies for several more years, retiring again in 2009.
Lee was a former member of Batavia Community Church and currently attended the Bronson First Baptist Church. He was a longtime member and past Commander of the Coldwater American Legion, Post #52 and a prior member of the Bronson Legion.
He served with the Masons since 1960, as Past Master Colon Lodge 73 and Three Rivers Lodge FA & M, Past High Priest of Colon Chapter Royal Masons and Past Commander Three Rivers Commandery. LeRoy served with UCT locally, as State President twice and Past Grand Counselor. He was Past Worthy Matron of Colon OES #91.
He enjoyed spending the winter months in Myrtle Beach, SC with his wife and fishing.
LeRoy is survived by his children Larry (Deb) Smith of Three Rivers, Dawn Losinski of Bronson, Linda (Bert) Ecle of Pensacola, FL; his step children Karen (Michael) Ochampaugh of Upper Peninsula, MI, Diane (Freddy) Burch-Napier of Coldwater; brother-in-law George Bercaw; his grandchildren Connor, Cara, Corey, Alicia, Eric, Tommy, Stephanie, Bert Jr., Patrick, Mark, Jason Kim, Lance; many great grandchildren, 5 great, great grandchildren; his former wife Barbara Patillo of Charleston, SC, many nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Fred.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings Alma, Delmar, Winnifred, Lerea, Charles, Francis, Gerald, Earl; half-sisters Helen Thompson, Margaret Hopkins, Edith Blue; brothers & sisters-in-law Leland (Alice) Bercaw, Marvin (Helen Mae) Bercaw, Robert Bercaw, Dorothy (Bob) Taylor, Liz (Rex) Robbins and sister-in-law Karen Bercaw.
Memorials may be directed to the Coldwater Masonic Lodge Tyre #18, the Coldwater American Legion Post #52 or the Bronson First Baptist Church.
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