Obituary of Janet Lucille Smith
Janet Lucille Spaulding was born on July 16, 1938 in Dundee, Michigan and was one of two children born from the union of her parents: the late Verl Spaulding and the late Dorothy (Phillips) Spaulding. She was a descendent of the late Heman Spaulding and Sylvanus Sullivan Spaulding Jr. and she was very proud of her roots. She received her education by attending Stowell School and Dundee Community Schools.
At a young age, her father taught her how to hunt and trap wild game and she continued to hunt and fish throughout her life. She loved tending to her garden and loved to cook and was famous for her delicious turtle stew made from fresh snapping turtle.
Country music was in her blood and she listened to artists from Freddy Fender to Jeannie Pruit to Hank Williams Sr. She spent countless hours playing Spanish guitar and humming along as she played “Your Cheating Heart” and Satin Sheets”. She had a very artistic side and was happiest with her oil paints and a blank canvas.
Above anything, “Jan” loved her family. She always made sure her family and home were well taken care of and this extended to other families as well. Her loving nature, great sense of humor and ability to always tell you like she sees it are just a few things that will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Janet Lucille Smith, age 81 of Monroe, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019 at Fountainview of Monroe surrounded by her family. Her passing is preceded by her husbands: Gayle Schultz, Ellsworth Shankelton and Hubert Samuel Smith; her daughter Sandra Lee Schultz and her parents.
To cherish her memory, she leaves her children: Larry Gayle (Carol) Schultz Sr., Rex Allen (Patty) Schultz, Jimmy Lee Elliott and Janene Lucille (Robert) Bayer; her brother: Michael (Elaine) Spaulding; her nephew: Michael Spaulding Jr.; her 10 grandchildren: Larry Jr. (Crystal), Daniel (Breona), Nicolas, Jake, Tony (Nikki), Karrie (Dennis), Jessica (Anthony), Tia, Sarina (Logan) and Susan (Nick); her 14 great grandchildren: Sean, Kameron, Tyler, Kinsley, Trenton, Hailey, Aubrey, Ellie, Derrick, Little Danny, Addison, Austin, Jonathin, and Kaitlyn; 2 great-great grandchildren: Sean and Chole and many extended family members and friends.
Family and friends may gather on Thursday, July 25, 2019 from 12:00pm until a Celebration of her Life at 2:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee 297 Tecumseh Street (734)529-3156 to be officiated by Pastor Don Brown. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to ProMedica Hospice and FountainView for taking such great care of Janet.
Online guests may leave words of comfort and inspiration, share a photo or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com. Memorial donations are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association and the Monroe Humane Society.