Obituary of Russel R. Smith

April 18, 1928 – April 3, 2023          

Russel R. Smith.  Age 94 of Riverview.        

Beloved husband of the late Joanne Smith.  Loving father of Dennis (Beverly) Smith, Randon (Archetta) Smith, Sandy Podsaid, Karen Podsaid, Dawn (Chuck) Aikin, Lori (Dave) Hodges and Kimberly (Sean) Parke.  Dear brother of Janet Delise, the late Edwin Smith and the late Donald Smith.  Also survived by 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Family Tribute

Russel R. Smith, 94, passed away April 3, 2023, with family by his side. He was born April 18^th, 1928, in Wyandotte Michigan, the son of Edwin and Leona Smith. Russ is survived by his seven children: Dennis (Beverly) Smith, Randon (Archetta) Smith, Sandy Podsaid Jr., Karen Podsaid, Dawn (Chuck) Aikin, Lori (Dave) Hodges, and Kimberly (Sean) Parke. Russ married Joanne Stevens in 1963 and they remained married until her passing in 2022.

Russ enjoyed family life, a pipe fitter by trade and a faithful man. He was an avid gardener and was often found outdoors enjoying a beautiful day. Russ was passionate about nature, his garden, and his house plants. Russ may have always needed a little help connecting his iPad to the Detroit Tigers game, but he never had an issue being able to connect with people.

We imagine the perfect day for Russ would begin by being surrounded by all his family. At family gatherings, such as birthdays, holiday parties, reunions etc. he made sure to spend quality time with each and every person there, because he genuinely wanted to hear about what was going on in their lives and was sharp as a whip even up to his last day with advice and impeccable memory.  

For many years Russ and Joanne took care of his and Joanne’s mothers because to him, family always comes first.  He had a great sense of responsibility, and approached life with astute tact and a positive demeanor.  He was a doer, and a provider for all of those around him.  He believed in not just saying you’re going to do things, but actually putting in the work to get things done often saying “Don’t say you are going to do it, do it”.  And you could always count on him to lend a helping hand, a voice, or an ear to help all of those around him achieve what they set out to do.

Trinity Lutheran Church was like his second home and extended family throughout his life. Many special occasions and memories were there surrounded by the people he loved.  Russ was the patriarch of our family; loved and admired by so many and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, Russel was preceded by brothers Edwin Smith, Donald Smith and late wife Joanne Smith. Survived by are his Children, 13 Grandchildren Ralph, Denean, Ryan (Carol), Heidi (Steven), Christopher, Grace, Lauren (Adam), Jessica (Kevin), Devin, Joey (Jessica), Jenna, Olivia, Sierra, 16 Great Grandchildren Tyler, Melissa, Payton, Aubrey, Chloe, Matthew, Connor, Zayden, Charlotte, Porter, Luka, Ivy, Rogan, Cadence, Forrest, Laylah and Great Great-Grandchild Huck. 

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Trinity Lutheran Church, 465 Oak Street, Wyandotte, MI  48192.