Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith, 97, passed away March 22, 2020, at Sojourner Place, Kalamazoo, MI. He was born February 14, 1923 in Kalamazoo, one of thirteen children of William Smith and Lupke Meulman. Andrew left school after the 8th grade to help with the family celery farm. At the age of 55, he went to night school and received his high school diploma from Portage Central High School. After his discharge from the Army, he married Betty Jane Corstange on June 18, 1943. They celebrated their 76th anniversary last June. Along with his parents and 12 siblings, Andrew was predeceased by his son Dale Andrew Smith. He is survived by his wife, Betty: daughter-in-law Sharon Smith: son Jack (Sansan): daughter Connie Albrecht (Bill): eight grandchildren: Wendy Gardner, Brent Smith, Bill Albrecht, Matt Albrecht, Alan Albrecht: Dale Smith, Myat Smith, Yun Shwe Smith and three great grandchildren: Emily Albrecht, Elise Albrecht and Liana Albrecht. Andrew was a carpenter by trade and belonged to the local Carpenters Union. He retired from Miller Davis Construction Company. He enjoyed bowling and golf for many years and got a hole in one at Gull Lake View (Hole 2) on Sept. 7th, 1974. After his retirement, Andrew and Betty went on many bus tours with family and friends to see the country. Andrew looked forward to his Friday nights playing dominoes with his niece and nephew, Mae and Ken. He was always up for a game of Skip-Bo, which he and Betty played almost every night. Andrew’s faith in God was his life sustaining force. He joined the Kalamazoo Country Jail Ministry and did weekly visits for several years to pass along the gospel to the prisoners. He was an active member of Texas Corner Bible Church. A memorial service will be held at the church when we get through this tough time of COVID-19. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Care of SW Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall #100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. The family is being assisted by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (269-679-5622).