Judith Ann Smith

Judith Ann Smith, 79, formerly of New Buffalo, died in her home on Sat., August 25, 2012 on Merritt Island, FL. Arrangements have been entrusted with Sommerfeld Chapel of New Buffalo.Judy was born on Feb. 26, 1933 in Cassopolis, MI to Artie and Mildred (Clark) Ellis. She came to the New Buffalo area in 1949. During her 50 years in New Buffalo she was an active member of the community. She was a member of the Water’s Edge United Methodist Church; the New Buffalo Service League; the New Buffalo Planning Commission; the Bi-Centennial Committee; and the Berrien County Democratic League. Judy was in real estate over 30 years and was the broker/owner of ‘Judy Smith Real Estate’. Judy along with other local business member’s, organized and authored ‘The New Buffalo Story.’Judy is survived by her children, Cynthia (David) Hipp of Merritt Island, FL, Mark (Lira) Palen of Plainfield, IL, and Susan (Tim) Shebel of New Buffalo; grandchildren, Joshua (Colleen) Selman, Christopher Selman, Lisa LoPresto, Zeke Palen, Dana (John) Blumberg, Richard Pacana, John (Heather) Shebel, Melanie Shebel and Julia Shebel; great grandchildren, Liam Selman, Rhyder Palen and Austin Shebel; brothers, Robert (Tina) Ellis and Daniel (Theresa) Ellis both of South Bend, IN; sister, Mary Helen (Maurice) Riggs of Dowagiac, MI; and a half-sister, Edna Burns of Buchanan, MI. She is preceded in death by her parents, Artie and Mildred Ellis; her first husband, Willard Palen; and her second husband, Ronald Smith (former owner of Smith Funeral Home, New Buffalo.)A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sat., Sept. 1, 11:00am, at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, MI, with Rev. Damien Lake officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo. Friends may call at the funeral home for a time of visitation on Friday from 4:00-8:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John United Church of Christ, New Buffalo. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.sommerfeldchapel.com