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Hal Smith

10/21/1936
01/22/2022

Hal Cutler Smith, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 22, 2022.

Hal was born on October 21, 1936, in South Bend, Indiana, to Kenneth and Harriet (Cutler) Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather, Donald Smith.

He was a member of the class of 1959 at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business.

Hal married Sharon (Clark) Smith in 1957, almost 65 years ago. They moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1960 where they made a life deeply rooted in family values. They have five children: Linda (John) Keating; Michael (Brenda) Smith; Julie Smith; Timothy Smith; and Kerry Smith.

Hal was a loving grandfather to 12 grandchildren: Patrick Keating; Lauren (Griffin) Bonnema; Katherine (Ryan) Schember; Stone Smith; Rockne Smith; Kensie Smith; Kelsey Smith; Erin Smith; Patrick Smith; Hunter Karle; Payton Karle; and Ryder Karle.

He is survived by his younger brother, Kevin (Lori) Smith, with whom he shared a very close bond. He also has four stepsisters, two stepbrothers, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Hal was president of the H.H. Cutler Company – a business started by his grandfather and two of his uncles – for a number of years. He was a successful businessman and enjoyed it so much that he continued to work as an investor after his retirement.

Hal was an avid golfer, and his love for the University of Notre Dame had the family spending numerous autumn Saturdays together, cheering on the Fighting Irish.

Hal was a devoted family man, an intellectual businessman, and a loyal friend to many. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to have known him.

Special thanks to the staff at Cascade Trails Senior Living and the caretakers from Faith Hospice.

Visitation will be from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at St. Robert of Newminster Parish, 6477 Ada Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301, with visitation an hour prior. Rev. Danny Orris and Msgr. Ernest Schneider, Concelebrants. Interment Cascade Cemetery. Following Mass, a Celebration of Hal’s Life will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Folds of Honor, https://foldsofhonor.org/ or Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation,  https://netrf.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/everlasting-impact-tribute/the-brandon-raabe-tribute-fund-for-net-research/

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23 Responses

  1. My deepest condolences to Linda to you and your family. May God grant you peace.

  2. Mike, Brenda, Stone and Rockne-
    So very sorry for your loss. You are in our hearts and prayers! May you find peace and comfort in the many happy memories.

  3. You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Hal was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor and he will be missed by so many who loved him.

  4. I remember how kind your father was to me years ago when I was working in the pro shop Forest Hills CC. Most of the members treated me like the kid I was, but your dad was always respectful to me. I pray that your family will feel God’s presence during this difficult time.

  5. Holding you all close in our prayers during your time of sorrow. Hal is an enormous loss for your family and for all of us ~ we will, forever, be grateful for all the ways his life touched ours. I’m

  6. Wonderful friend and family man. He will be missed, but always remembered.
    Go Irish

    The Engle Family

  7. Hal will be remembered for his kindness. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

  8. Smith family,

    We are deeply saddened by your loss. Hal touched a lot of lives in great and wonderful ways! Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

  9. Julie, Tim, Mike, Kevin, and all… I am so sorry for the loss to your family! Hal was a wonderful man and made such a positive impact on so many. What a massive circle of family and friends whom lives he touched. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!

  10. Hal was a Giant in our life and we will hold that position for the rest of ours …He was a client a mentor but most importantly a friend…He was as kind and honest as anyone we have ever know…all that knew him knew that his family came first…Hal and Sharon graciously offered their cottage on Lake Michigan for my mothers celebration of life nearly 4 years ago.
    Over the years Hal was there for me offering professional advice and guidance…one of the best story tellers as well had one of the quickest whits I’ve ever known…Dearest Sharon and family both Jamie and I will always live in Gratitude for sharing Hal wit us…May God continue to bless your family, we will miss him however his voice and kindest will run deep forever.
    Love, Rock kauffman & Jamie Miller

  11. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, Tim. Our sincere condolences from the Philadelphia, Smiths.

  12. Hal was a great boss. Both Mike and I were treated with respect while working at Cutler. He was a wonderful mentor for Mike. He was a patient and caring man. I ran into Hal many times at New Beginnings in Cascade when I worked at Hungerford. My prayers are with the entire family. God bless you all.

  13. Hal was a wonderful man with a great wit, and deep love for family & friends. Barry and I have wonderful memories of traveling with he and Sharon, and Bev & Bill. Hal was always making it fun with a great story, teasing someone with that twinkle in his eye, and a Manhattan in his hand. What a great life he lived with no regrets!
    We will miss him.
    He lived his life with “Grateful Joy”
    Much love to the Smith Family ❣️

  14. To all the members of the Smith family I offer my sincere condolences and prayers. I was blessed and honored to have known Hal through the Notre Dame Annual Golf & Scholarship Invitational the past 25 years. God bless his soul and grant him eternal happiness
    Go Irish☘️☘️☘️

  15. Sharon and family. We want to offer our deepest sympathy. Hal was a great man and good friend and he will certainly be missed. We hope that many great memories will help to comfort all of you.
    Go Irish!! Mark and Sandra Wilson

  16. I’m deeply saddened at the loss of Hal. Sending love and praying for comfort to the entire Smith family. Hal was deeply admired and respect and will be missed.

  17. Dear Smith Family,
    While I grew up with Mike and Julie, I always felt part of the family and Kelly grew to know most of you as well. Spent alot of time at the end of Hickorywood and the driveway basketball games always got better when Hal and Uncle Kevin would join in…alot better! Celebrate a great life. For as great of a Patriarch Hal always was, he’ll be a better guardian angle now for all of you.
    You have our deepest sympathy and best wishes.
    Craig and Kelly Adams

  18. Thinking of all of you. I’ll be forever grateful for the times I was able to share with Mr Smith and his family. What great fun we had with you all. My memorieswill certainly last forever. Family, fun, Notre Dame, epic businessman, kindness, generosity, and warmth are a few things that come to my mind when I think of him.
    Sending hugs, thoughts, prayers and much gratitude XOXO

  19. Sharon and family. So sorry to hear of your loss. Hal will always be remembered for his wonderful humor, his competitiveness and his love of telling a good story. We had many a memorable golf outing. God bless you all.

  20. Sharon and family: It was always such a pleasure to see you both. I am so sorry for your loss. Hal was a good man with a great smile and spirit. Love to you. ❤️

  21. To Sharon and all of Hal’s family,I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many memories of seeing Hal and Sharon together with their good friends Jerry and Janis Engle. So much fun! Hal was always a gentleman, kind and possessed of a wicked sense of humor. I will miss seeing him. Rest in peace Hal.
    Go Irish!

  22. I’m sorry for your loss Hal and his family are in my prayers. I’ve never seen Mr Smith upset about anything all of my years working at Cutler. God is on his side. Rest in the Loving arms of God. Kevin and Hal Children my Heart is with y’all. Fenis Harmon.

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