Suzanne E. Newman Smith

Suzanne E. (Newman) Smith, 75, of St. Joseph, Michigan, passed away January 28, 2012 in Haines City, Florida with her husband Charlie at her side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, February 3, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph with Rev. Martin Measel officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 2, 2012. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Sue was born on April 5, 1936 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Albert and Elsie Petruschke. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1954. Sue married Charles E. Smith on July 8, 1978. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University in Chicago, Illinois and earned her Master’s Degree from Michigan State University. Sue taught school in the Lakeshore School District for 29 years and retired in 1988. Since retirement Sue and Charlie enjoyed many travels and split their time between their homes in Michigan and Florida. Sue was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, the Red Hat Society and Shoreline Sounds. She volunteered with Hospice at Home and West View Ridge Home Owners Association in Haines City, Florida. Sue was the rock of the Petruschke, Smith, Newman and Keding families, organizing family reunions and compiling the family’s genealogy. Her daily jokes will be missed along with her smile and sense of humor. She was a loyal friend to many. Sue is survived by her sons Al (Terri) Newman, Tim (Lori) Newman, Andy Newman and Gary Newman; daughters Karen (Jim) Benedix, Patti (Tom) Bone, Sandy (Russ) Looker; son Brian (Kate) Smith; sister Karen (Ken) Schiming; brother Richard (Dorothy) Petruschke; sister-in-law Marion (Peter) DeVito; brother-in-laws Bruce (Joanne) Smith and Dr. John Smith; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Elsie (Keding) Petruschke; brother Fred Petruschke and sister-in-law Helen Ann Smit