Ronald Smitham

Ronald W. Smitham, 77, of Iron River, MI, passed away Monday, May 27, 2013 at Marquette General Hospital, Marquette, MI. He was born May 9, 1936 in Stambaugh, MI, son of the late Theodore and Filomina ""Fannie"" (Abata) Smitham. He attended the Stambaugh Schools, graduating from Stambaugh High School with the Class of 1954. Following graduation he entered the U. S. Air Force, serving two tours of duty in Viet Nam. He was then stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland until his honorable discharge in 1977. Ronald married the former Mary Jean Butts on December 17, 1955 and after his retirement from the service, the couple returned to the area and made their home in Stambaugh Township. Ronald was a member of the Masonic Lodge #174 of Maryland, VFW Ottawa Post #3134, American Legion Reino Post #21, and the Iron River Country Club and was an avid golfer. He was preceded in death by his brother Mark Smitham. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 57 years, Mary Jean; daughter, Cheryll Martin of Cedarburg, WI; sons, Guy (Ruth) Smitham of Waukesha, WI and Steven Smitham; and was a dear grandpa to five grandchildren, Misty Smitham, Brandi (James) Becker, Sonia Hirschfield, Stacy (Greg) Verhagen, and Nicole Hirschfield, and seven great grandchildren, Marissa, Jordyn, Aybree, Easton, Jacob, Brooklyn, and Kylie. Private family services will be held. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald Smitham, please visit our flower store.