Allyn “Al” Emery Smith, loving husband, father and papa, 78, of Mears, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025.  Al died peacefully after a courageous battle with an aggressive kidney cancer.  He was born January 9, 1947, in Shelby, Michigan, the son of Emery and Ethel May (Porter) Smith.

Al graduated from Shelby High School and continued his education at Michigan Tech University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Al and Joan were high school sweethearts, getting married in 1967.  They would have celebrated their 58th year of marriage on September 9, 2025.

Al worked at Westinghouse, Ralston Purina but spent most of his career at Abbott Labs in Northern Illinois.  It was there that they raised their 2 loving daughters.  He ended his career in 2001 as a project manager of engineering.

Al enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing sports, but had a passion for golf.  He was a man of faith and involved in many activities in the churches he was a part of through the years.  Al and Joan had a love for traveling.  Some of the places they traveled to were: Africa, Australia, Sweden, Russia, Croatia, Germany, England and Hawaii with family and friends.

Al was blessed to have been retired for 24 years.  He loved building the cottage on Lake Michigan for all the family to enjoy. Al also loved his Florida home with wonderful friends and more golfing.  Charlie, the family dog, was another bright spot in his life.

Most of all Al loved his wife, children and grandchildren.

Al is survived by: his loving wife, Joan; daughters, Kelly (Patrick) Heersche, Nikki (Erik) Moberly; grandchildren, Victoria (Matthew) Hege, Savannah Heersche, Jonathon Moberly and Jacob Moberly.

Memorial services will be conducted at 2 pm, Monday, June 16, 2025, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan, 49455, with Pastor Steve Leinbach officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1 pm until the start of services Monday, at Harris Funeral Home.

Please consider memorial contributions to: The Ladder Community Center, 67 N. State Street, Shelby, MI  49455, https://www.theladdercommunitycenter.com/give.html or Love, Inc. of Oceana County, 186 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby, MI, 49455, http://loveincoceana.org.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.

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