Our Staff

Hannah L. (Smith) Schmidt

Funeral Director

Hannah grew up in the funeral business; she is the daughter of Sam & Carol Smith. Hannah attended Ovid-Elsie High Schools; graduating in 2006. She went to Saginaw Valley State University for two years, completing her pre-requisites for mortuary school. She then attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois, where she graduated in September of 2009. Hannah became a licensed funeral director in January of 2010. 

Hannah and her husband Josh reside in Ithaca, Michigan with their daughters: Marley, Harper, and Jemma. Hannah enjoys arts and crafts, traveling, and spending time with family and her dog Dewey. She is a member of the Ithaca Rotary.

Carlton A. Cecil

Funeral Assistant

Carl was born in Ft. Wayne, IN and graduated from high school in Coldwater, MI in 1985.  He graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1989.  He has been a pastor for nearly 30 years.  For the last 23 years he has been a pastor in Alma, currently serving as the pastor of Faith First Church of Alma.  He has 14 years of experience in funeral services.

 

Carl and his wife Karen were married in 1989 and live in Riverdale.  They have 5 children: Ellie, Joseph (Charlie Ann), Noah, Ben and Dan, and 2 grandsons.

Emily L. Smith

Secretary

Emily grew up in the funeral business; she is the daughter of Sam & Carol Smith.  She attended Ovid-Elsie High School; graduating in 2004.  She went to Baker College for a few years, taking business classes.  Emily has worked at various places in the business and medical fields.  She has been working at the funeral home for four years.  Emily  works at our St. Johns location.

 

Emily resides in Ithaca, Michigan.  She enjoys spending time with family; especially her nieces: Marley, Harper, and Jemma.  She also enjoys traveling, loves Detroit Tigers Baseball, watching movies, reading, being with her friends, and boating.

Rosella

Receptionist, St. Louis Chapel

Rosella “Rose” White was born on a farm near Shepherd, MI; one of thirteen children.  She graduated in 1962 from Shepherd High School.  Rose married her best friend Lyle White in October 1963.  She worked as Office Manager for Century 21 Lee-Mac Realty in Alma MI, before retiring in 2007.  Rose started working for Smith Family Funeral Homes in October 2008 at the St. Louis Chapel as a Receptionist, and helps with funeral services and visitations. 

 

Rose and Lyle have 2 daughters and 2 sons, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.  Rose loves spending time with her family and the creative side of her is always busy.  She enjoys crafting and somehow manages to attend several craft shows in the fall.  She is a member of St. Mary’s Church in Alma, and a member of the Hospital Auxiliary at Mid-Michigan Medical Center – Gratiot in Alma.

Loraine Schmitt

Receptionist, Goerge Chapel, Fowler

Loraine Schmitt has been a resident of the Fowler-Westphalia area all of her life.  She graduated from Pewamo-Westphalia High School and them from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids as an education major.  She has taught elementary school and worked as a substitute teacher for over 30 years.  Loraine has been a receptionist at the Goerge Chapel in Fowler since January of 2007 assisting grieving families in their time of need.

 

Loraine lives in Fowler with her husband Philip.  They have 4 children and 9 grandchildren.  Loraine enjoys reading, quilting, gardening, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Ruth Hall

Funeral Assistant

Ruth Hall went to Ithaca High School and Northern Michigan University.  After college she began working in Ithaca and has been involved in many civic committees including; Chamber of Commerce President, GAS Fair Board, board member of the Gratiot Community Foundation, and BPO Elks in Alma, where she was the first woman Exalted Ruler of the Elks. 

 

Ruth lives in the Ithaca area.  She enjoys sports, cars, and spending time with friends and family.  She has been with the funeral home for about 10 years.