Bertrand George Smith

Bertrand George Smith, Bert as he was known, left a life he loved and lived to the fullest until a troublesome illness of four months took its toll. He died peacefully at Arbor Hospice on April 5, 2016.

Bert, the son of Alonzo and Bertelle Wilson Smith, and the step-son of Ethel Karnatz Smith, was born May 29, 1929 in Willis, Mich., where he grew up and inherited his dad’s love of gardening. On June 23, 1951, he married Leona “Lee” Hudge at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Belleville and she survives. Together, they raised three daughters, their eldest, Luanne Schonfeld, sadly preceded him in death in 2014; Susan (Larry) Nutson of Chicago, Ill., and Carol (Wally) Cross of Grosse Pointe, Mich. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren; Matt (Meagan) Schonfeld of Ann Arbor, Katie (Craig) De Voto, Natalie (Josh) Barney, Laura (Jake) Williams all of Chicago, Stefan Cross, Kyle Cross and Sam Cross all of Grosse Pointe. Bert was overjoyed at the birth of his first great-grandson; Lucas Jeffrey Schonfeld in 2014. Sadly, little Jane Evelyn Barney, just six weeks old, will never know his loving ways. Bert also leaves one brother; Robert (Marlou) Smith of Lakemont, Ga., two sisters; Beatrice Burrell of Willis, Mich., and Patricia (Don) Freitag of Sparta, Ga., sister-in-law; Margaret Smith of Ypsilanti.

He was preceded in death by his older brother, Alonzo Smith. Two special sisters-in-laws, Mary Anne Hudge and Florence Lorey, who along with their husbands, Ed and Bill, had a close loving relationship with him and Lee, are remembered at this time. Bert also leaves his best friend, George, and a host of neighbors who enjoyed Wednesday night dinners together each week. A practice he continued for many years was having coffee at 6 a.m., daily with friend, Denny, and other regulars at The Diner. Bert was Superintendent of Mail at the Belleville Post Office when he was appointed Tecumseh Postmaster in 1979, serving 11 years before retiring in 1990 with 42 years behind him. He began his career as a substitute letter carrier and worked his way up the ladder to the top post. He was proud of saying he was not a “political appointee,” that he did it the hard way. He was a past-president of the Belleville Kiwanis Club, a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Bert was an avid golfer, having belonged to Tecumseh Country Club/Hantz Golf Club for 37 years, enjoying golf getaways with his wife and friends and playing courses throughout the USA and Nova Scotia. Bert was also known for his love of birds, often calling attention to their songs while golfing with his buddies. “Do you hear that?” he’d ask. “That’s a bluebird.” Giving his grandchildren rides around the neighborhood and down to the golf course on his golf cart was one of his (and their) greatest joys. Other than golf, Bert’s great passion was his vegetable garden and sharing crops, especially sweet corn and tomatoes, with his neighbors. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Handler Funeral Homes.

In lieu of flowers, please acknowledge the deeds of St. Jude by donating on his behalf to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the church entry.

Condolences many be offered to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.