Judith Smith, 79
Born: Feb. 26, 1933
Died: Aug. 25, 2012

Judith Ann Smith, 79, formerly of New Buffalo, died in her home Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, on Merritt Island, Fla.

Judy was born Feb. 26, 1933, in Cassopolis to Artie and Mildred (Clark) Ellis. She came to the New Buffalo area in 1949. During her 50 years in New Buffalo, she was an active member of the community. She was a member of the Water’s Edge United Methodist Church, the New Buffalo Service League, the New Buffalo Planning Commission, the Bi-Centennial Committee and the Berrien County Democratic League. Judy was in real estate more than 30 years and was the broker/owner of Judy Smith Real Estate. Judy, along with other local business members, organized and authored “The New Buffalo Story.”

Judy is survived by her children, Cynthia (David) Hipp of Merritt Island, Fla., Mark (Lira) Palen of Plainfield, Ill., and Susan (Tim) Shebel of New Buffalo; grandchildren, Joshua (Colleen) Selman, Christopher Selman, Lisa LoPresto, Zeke Palen, Dana (John) Blumberg, Richard Pacana, John (Heather) Shebel, Melanie Shebel and Julia Shebel; great-grandchildren, Liam Selman, Rhyder Palen and Austin Shebel; brothers, Robert (Tina) Ellis and Daniel (Theresa) Ellis, both of South Bend,; sister, Mary Helen (Maurice) Riggs of Dowagiac; and a half-sister, Edna Burns of Buchanan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Artie and Mildred Ellis; her first husband, Willard Palen; and her second husband, Ronald Smith (former owner of Smith Funeral Home, New Buffalo.)

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, with the Rev. Damien Lake officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo. Friends may call at the funeral home for a time of visitation on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John United Church of Christ, New Buffalo. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.sommerfeldchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted with Sommerfeld Chapel of New Buffalo.