Obituary: Ila Mae Smith, 94, of Custer

Ila Mae Smith, 94, of Custer, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Medilodge in Ludington.

Ila was born on January 14, 1929, in Flint, to Hiram and Edith (Henson) Price. She was raised on a farm in Melvin, before moving with her family to a farm just north of Custer. She graduated from Custer High School with the class of 1946.

On October 16, 1948, she married Orval W. Smith at Bachelor Church in Sheridan Township, by Rev. Frederick Stewart. They celebrated 66 years together before he preceded her in death on January 14, 2015.

Ila worked on and off through the years for Pinkerton’s Drug Store in Scottville. She was a charter member of the Custer VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and, along with Orval, was a member of the Belles and Beau’s Square Dance Club. She also bowled in many leagues over the years.

She enjoyed traveling, flower gardening, collecting depression glass, photography, researching family genealogy, and playing cards with family and friends.

Ila is survived by her daughter, Diane; son, Duane; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Ann and Curtiss Berndt; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ila was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; brother, Donald (Rosalie) Price; sisters, Betty (Charles) Faltinek, and Claribel (Frederick) Brunner; sister-in-law, Lorraine (Curly) Hinezman; and brother-in-law, Pete (April) Smith.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery, in Custer Township.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Custer Fire Department.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com.