July 23, 1928 — Sept. 28, 2018

Mildred E. (Shaffer) Smith, 90, passed away at 3:33 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Mildred was born on July 23, 1928, in Niles, to the late Effie and Claude Shaffer. Mildred was also preceded in death by her sister, Thelma Sly; and daughter-in-law, Patty Smith.

Mildred was married on Aug. 6, 1949, to Michigan Merritt Smith and he passed away on May 26, 1987. Together they raised a beautiful family, including, son, Jose Smith; daughters, Lona Smith, Neta (Don) Leinonen, and Dona (Clint) Probst; sister, Betty Finn; brother, Robert (Mary) Shaffer; 11 Grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

Mildred’s number one love in life was bees. She also loved her grandchildren and animals. She was always laughing and smiling, enjoyed telling stories, worked hard on the farm and made the best homemade bread. She was a God-fearing woman.

Visitation is 4-6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 in Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles. Funeral Service is 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018 in the Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Bertrand Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com