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 and Harper. Hannah enjoys arts and crafts, traveling, and spending time with family and her dog Dewey. She is a member of the Ithaca Rotary.

Angela S. VanCore

Funeral Director

Angela grew up in Marine City, Michigan, near Port Huron. She graduated from Marine City High School in 1985. Angela attended Oakland University and then graduated from Wayne State University Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Science in 1993. She became a licensed funeral director in 1994. Angela has worked for Smith Family Funeral Homes for a total of 6 years, serving the communities of Elsie, St. Johns, Ithaca, and St. Louis. 

Angela and her husband Jon live in Ovid, MI and have 6 children; Jon (Elisha) Nick (Becky), Chad, Autumn, Zachary, and Hannah, and 2 grandchildren; Carter and Riley.  She enjoys gardening, reading, and spending family time together.

Wendy Pullen

Office Manager

Wendy was born in Saginaw, Michigan and has lived throughout the Mid-Michigan area. She graduated from Perry Baptist School in 1990, and attended Cornerstone College of Grand Rapids and Baker College of Owosso. Wendy began working for Smith Family Funeral Homes, at the Elsie Chapel as Office Manager in February of 2004. She takes care of the paperwork and artistic media for each service including; memorial cards, register books, candles, and videos.

Wendy lives in Laingsburg, Michigan and is a member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Corunna, Michigan; where she enjoys working in the nursery. She enjoys reading, crafts; especially jewelry making, taking trips with her sister and spending time with her family and her cat Tippy.

Judy A. Miller

Receptionist, Elsie Chapel

Judy began working for Smith Family Funeral Homes as a receptionist in the St. Johns Chapel in September of 1996. At Smith Family Funeral Homes we take pride in the services that we offer our families. The "After Care" program that Judy personally handles is important in helping families cope with their recent loss. She also recognizes people in our surrounding communities by sending them laminated keepsakes of their life's accomplishments. You can also find Judy helping out in our other chapels when needed.

Judy was born in St. John's, Michigan and has lived in the Elsie & St. Johns areas all of her life. Her daughter Kari, and her husband Dan, have two boys, Tyler & Travis. Her son Kore, and his wife Candi, have three children, Emily Alison & Kyle. Judy's daughter Trudy passed away in 1999 and leaves her children Holly & Alec. Judy also has a great granddaughter Masynn, and a great grandson Takoda.

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 1 grandson.

Nicole Wieber

Receptionist, Ithaca Chapel

Nicole was born and raised in St. Johns, Michigan and graduated from St. Johns High School in 2002.  She attended Lansing Community College and Central Michigan University.  Nicole has been with Smith Family Funeral Homes since 2014. She works mainly in Ithaca, but helps out at the other chapels when necessary.

 

Nicole lives with her husband Brian and their daughter Aubrey in St. Johns.  She enjoys reading, camping and spending time with family.

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 a year.  Emily primarily works at our St. Johns and Elsie location.

 

Emily resides in Perrinton, Michigan.  She enjoys spending time with family; especially her niece Marley, 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.

Vicki Martin

Receptionist, Ithaca Chapel

Vicki has lived most of her life in Ithaca, Mi.  She graduated from Ithaca High School and went to Lansing Business University.  She worked in the library at Ithaca High School for 24 years.  When she retired in 2010, she began working at Smith Family Funeral Home, Ithaca Chapel.

Vicki and her husband, Jack, reside on their farm in Ithaca.  They have three children; Trent (Tricia), Jason (Hatti), Nicole (John Whitmore), and seven grandchildren.  She enjoys watching the grandchildren’s sporting event, traveling, and spending time with family at their Higgins Lake cottage.

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.