Elton Dean Smith

Dean Smith, 81, of Riverdale, passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at Prestige Way in Holt. His funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home, 2300 S. Lincoln Rd., with Pastor Lindow Koop of Strickland Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Lincoln Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. and on Monday one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Hospice, 3100-B West Rd. Suite 203, East Lansing MI 48823. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Dean was born Aug. 28, 1928, in Isabella County, the son of Sherman and Winnifred (Brown) Smith. A graduate of Shepherd High School, he was employed by Dow Corning of Hemlock as a mechanical engineer. He was also a lifelong farmer and always made time to help his neighbors. Some of his favorite pastimes were deer hunting, taking trips out west to hunt elk, canoeing, and traveling. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Dean is survived by two daughters, Dorene (Bruce) Dean of Dimondale, Denise Korepta of Lenox, MA; five grandchildren, J.D. Korepta, Lindsey Korepta, Abigail Dean, Alison Dean, and Joe (Carissa) Dean; and one great-grandson, Kyden Dean. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Douglas; and sister, Annabel Schrock.