Jimmy Edwin Smith

Jim Smith, 87, of Hartford passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov, 24, 2020. He was loved, and will be missed.

Jim was born Jan. 25, 1933, in Grand Rapids, but called Hartford home for most of his life, graduating from Hartford High School in 1951. He enjoyed sports and was a stand-out fullback on the football team. In 1964 he married Rosemary Hastings (or Rosie, as he liked to call her), and they spent more than 40 years together until her death on June 26, 2005. Also preceding him in death were an infant daughter, Cathy Renee; his parents: Willard and Mildred; a brother, Robert; and a sister, Margie.

Jim was a proud veteran who served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. Following service to his country, he also served his community. Jim became a police officer for the City of Hartford, including seven years as its chief of police. The balance of his working days were spent in the food processing and packaging industry, holding management positions at Duffy-Mott and Michigan Fruit Canners.

Jim was an avid gardener who kept family and friends in fruits and vegetables throughout the summer. He and Rosie enjoyed many adventures – steam boating on the Mississippi River, camping throughout Michigan with their children and grandchildren, and taking his beloved 1930 Chrysler for a drive or showing it locally.

Jim is survived by three daughters: Julie (Tom) Beam of Paw Paw, Heidi Smith of Chicago, and Andrea (Bobb) Ford of Kewadin, Mich.; three grandchildren: Megan (Rick) Blattert of Milford, Mich., Nicholas (Brianna) Beam of Kalamazoo, and Katelyn Beam of Grand Rapids; two great-grandchildren: Liam and Elizabeth Blattert of Milford; brother-in-law, Wayne Shugars of Portage; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at Maple Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hartford Athletic Boosters; the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Mounted Division; or Coloma American Legion Post 362. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with arrangements. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

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