Longtime horseman Jerry Smith, 83, from Niles, Michigan, and Deland, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on May 18 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka
, Indiana.
Born on May 29, 1928, in Kessington, Michigan, he was the son of Clair Oscar and Edna Louise (Hiatt) Smith. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Margaret Stoeckinger Baxter and Vera (Robert) Freimund, and a brother, Kenneth Smith.
On July 3, 1948, Jerry married his wife of 63 years and the love of his life, Betty Joyce Eberhart. She survives along with their two daughters, Christine Kay S. (Dr. Phillip) Hecht of Berrien Springs, Michigan, and LuAnn S. (Richard) VanDalsen of Niles, Michigan; four grandchildren, Tiffany K. Carver of Macon, Georgia, Kimberly Ann Smith (James Allen II) Klett of Niles, Michigan. Four great-grandchildren, Courtney Kay Haggard of Macon Georgia, Cole A. Carver of Wray, Georgia, and Benjamin M. Kubal and McKenna Kay Klett, both of Niles, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry loved his family more than anything, which was very evident for everyone to see and admire; they were always together. He was an incredible and generous husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, whose loss is immeasurable.
He had four generations living on his farm in Niles. He was very involved with horses all of his life. He broke many world records with his heavyweight pulling teams, and owned and trained world champion standardbred pacers Crash, Storm Damage, Redskin, and many stake winners. One of his horses is in the Guiness World Record Book.
Jerry was currently racing his stable of horses at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. He was a member of The United States Trotting Association, Michigan Harness Horse Association, The Michiana Two Cylinder Club, and served for many years on The Cass County Fair Board. He was inducted into the Michigan Harness Horse Hall of Fame.
He was a pilot and enjoyed boating. He was the owner of Smith Construction, builder of roads and state highways. He was also the owner of American Aggregate, Inc. of Niles, Michigan.
A memorial will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Jerry's memory to Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 108 F. Old York Road, Hamilton, New Jersey 08620. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.McGannHay.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jerry Smith.
Our sympathy to Betty, Chris
Our sympathy to Betty, Chris and LuAnn and families. Even at 83 years young Jerry kept training a stable of horses and working long hours at the rock quarry. A generous family man with a great sense of humor. We will miss you--God bless! Kendra & Al Casselman