Christine Ellyn Smither

Christine Ellyn Smither, 57, of Benton Harbor, passed away on March 4, 2010 at Porter Hospital in Valparaiso, IN. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, March 8, 2010, at 1:00 P.M., at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Paul Martin officiating. Visitation is Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 2 to 4 P.M. at the Funeral Home. Burial will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Memorials may be made to Animal Aid of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to share a memory online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Christine was born on December 12, 1952 in St. Joseph to George and Mary Ellen (Johnson) Hedrik. She graduated from St. Joseph High School and Lake Michigan College and attended Western Michigan University. Christine married Richard Smither on October 1, 1983 in St. Joseph. Christine was a kind and caring person with a deep love for animals. She was the president of Animal Aid until she retired for health reasons. She also owned and operated a daycare for many years. There was always a special place in her heart for all the children. She is survived by her mother Mary of St. Joseph; son Zachary (Jenna) Tope of Coloma; adopted son Danis Shisler of Phoenix, AZ; brother, Thomas (Barbara) Hedrik of Grand Rapids; niece Katie Hedrik and nephew Brian Hedrik. She is preceded in death by her father; husband, Richard Hedrik and a brother Steven Hedrik.