Dan Smith

Dan Smith, 86, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away on August 30, 2021. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph, MI. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00PM on Friday, September 3, also at Starks & Menchinger Chapel with Rev. David Habicht officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Caring Circle Hospice and United Way of Southwest Michigan. Dan Lee Smith was born July 23, 1935 in Buchanan, MI. He graduated with the Buchanan High School class of 1953 and then attended Western Michigan College. He honorably served his country during peacetime for two years in the United States Army stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Dan met the love of his life, Patricia Jean Tropp, in Berrien Springs in 1957 and they were married in December of 1958. Together they enjoyed a good life made up of family and friends. Dan worked in the banking industry for 45 years, beginning his career with the Union State Bank of Buchanan and ending his career as Chairman and CEO of Shoreline Financial Corporation (now Huntington Bank). He was actively involved in the community as past chairman of Cornerstone Alliance, past campaign chairman of United Way, and many others, including the Buchanan Lions Club and St. Joseph Rotary Club. Dan dearly loved his wife, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. One of Dan’s joys in life was being devoted to his grandchildren and their development. Dan was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, who passed away July 23, 2017, father Frederic Smith, mother Ruby (Robe) Smith, and three nephews. He is survived by his daughters Renee Smith, Michele Smith, and Nicole Spence (Craig), sisters Glenda Demissianos and Annette Silva (Fred), and his seven grandchildren: Kendall Dick, McKenna Dick, Wesley Smith Lockett, Olivia Lockett, Walter Smith, Zoe Ruby Spence, and Oscar Lee Spence.