Obituary for Emily June Smalley
Emily June Smalley, age 85, of Free Soil, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday January 22, 2020 after a lingering illness at Manistee County Medical Care Facility. She was born on January 18, 1935 in Manistee, daughter of the late Harry and Gertrude (Schultz) Hasenbank.
She attended Free Soil Community Schools. She and Ralph later earned their GED’s from West Shore Community College. Emily was a homemaker but worked at the Canning Factory in Scottville, sold Avon many years and provided product demonstrations in Mason and Manistee counties. This job suited her well as she loved to visit with people and made many friends this way.
Emily loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren swimming in the river on her property and attending their school, sport and cultural activities. She enjoyed sitting by the river and her flower garden. She also enjoyed dancing and listening to music (especially polkas), going to yard sales and playing cards.
She will be remembered by family and friends for her love of life and her kind heart.
Emily is survived by her daughter, Tina (Gregg) Surma and son, Roger (Orleiene Kay) Smalley both of Free Soil; grandchildren; Lisa (Ken) Parker of Irons, Jeff Smalley of Grand Rapids, Rita (Chris) Hansen of Ludington, Amy (Brian) Benson of Ludington and Kristen (James) Harvey of Manistee, and her great grandchildren; Kyle & Brendan Parker, Blake Benson, Kennedi & Gavan Hansen and Evan & Logan Harvey.
Emily was predeceased by her husband Ralph Lester Smalley on February 12, 2010 and her son Ralph Smalley, Jr., on September 20, 2013.
A Celebration of Life for Emily will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 31, 2020 at Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee with Pastor John Hansen officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until time of service.
Memorial contributions in memory of Emily may be directed to the Free Soil Senior Center. Please feel free to share a memory or photo with the family on Emily’s personal book of memories page at www.oakgrovefh.com.
The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Manistee.
She attended Free Soil Community Schools. She and Ralph later earned their GED’s from West Shore Community College. Emily was a homemaker but worked at the Canning Factory in Scottville, sold Avon many years and provided product demonstrations in Mason and Manistee counties. This job suited her well as she loved to visit with people and made many friends this way.
Emily loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren swimming in the river on her property and attending their school, sport and cultural activities. She enjoyed sitting by the river and her flower garden. She also enjoyed dancing and listening to music (especially polkas), going to yard sales and playing cards.
She will be remembered by family and friends for her love of life and her kind heart.
Emily is survived by her daughter, Tina (Gregg) Surma and son, Roger (Orleiene Kay) Smalley both of Free Soil; grandchildren; Lisa (Ken) Parker of Irons, Jeff Smalley of Grand Rapids, Rita (Chris) Hansen of Ludington, Amy (Brian) Benson of Ludington and Kristen (James) Harvey of Manistee, and her great grandchildren; Kyle & Brendan Parker, Blake Benson, Kennedi & Gavan Hansen and Evan & Logan Harvey.
Emily was predeceased by her husband Ralph Lester Smalley on February 12, 2010 and her son Ralph Smalley, Jr., on September 20, 2013.
A Celebration of Life for Emily will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 31, 2020 at Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee with Pastor John Hansen officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until time of service.
Memorial contributions in memory of Emily may be directed to the Free Soil Senior Center. Please feel free to share a memory or photo with the family on Emily’s personal book of memories page at www.oakgrovefh.com.
The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Manistee.