Charles Franklin Smith

Charles F. Smith, age 97 passed away peacefully on March 1, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Charles was born on March 30, 1919 in Detroit MI, son of the late Margaret Keough Smith and Gailard M. Smith. He moved to Toledo, OH with his parents and sister at the age of 3. Charles attended St. John’s High School until its closing and then he graduated from Central Catholic High School. Charles attended DeSales College before moving to Detroit, MI where he worked at Republic Aircraft Company. He married Suzanne Werner and lived in Detroit until he was drafted into the Army in 1944. He served 19 months, 9 of which were served in Italy during WW ll. He was honorably discharged in November 1945. Charles worked for Westinghouse Electric Supply Co until March of 1947 when he joined his father-in-law as an Insurance Agent at the C.D. Werner Insurance Agency. Charles retired from Insurance in 1987 but continued to work by volunteering with the “Meals on Wheels” program and at St. Anne’s Hospital. Charles and Suzanne loved to travel and enjoyed many trips in and out of the country but the most memorable times of his life were always spent with his wife of 75 years and their 11 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who bought endless joy to his life. Charles was a man of profound and steadfast faith in his Almighty Father, he prayed the Rosary daily providing a blanket of prayer over his family. Every evening Charles enjoyed cheese and crackers. During his last ‘cheese and cracker time’ he could hardly contain his joy and with a big smile on his face and his hands in a tight squeeze announced “I’m just so proud of all my kids!” We are proud of you Daddy, and are blessed to have had you all the years we did. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret & Gailord, his sister “Maggie”, his niece Betsy and his grandchild Melinda. He is survived by his loving wife Suzanne Werner and his 11 children, Peter (Karen), John, Greg, Gordon, Jeffrey, Martin (Karen), Pamela Hanley (Larry), Stephen (Debra), Suzanne Zychowicz (John), Christopher, Amy Mossing (James), 26 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21 A mass will be held on Saturday, March 4, 1:00 p.m. at Gesu Church, with a Rosary Service at 12:30. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions in honor of Charles life may be given to The Cherry Street Mission or St. Francis DeSales High School. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Charles Franklin Smith

March 30, 1919 - March 1, 2017