Karl O. Smith Obituary
Karl O. Smith, age 78, of Monroe, passed away peacefully at 10:15 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2017, in his home. He had been seriously ill for the past three weeks. Family and friends may visit from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2017, at Rupp Funeral Home, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 29, 2017.
Rev. Mike Gilbert, Chaplain for ProMedica Hospice, will officiate. In accordance with his wishes, cremation will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle. Born June 17, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of the late Clarence J. and Dorothy M. (Bier) Smith. Karl attended Milan High School, graduating with the class of 1959; marring his wife, Sandra J. Baggett, on October 3rd of that same year at Good Sheppard Church, Flat Rock, Michigan.
He worked for Ford Motor Company at the Monroe Plant as a Tool and Die Maker for thirty-one years and three months, retiring in 1997. For the last several years Karl spent many hours at Go M.A.D. Fitness with the Silver Sneakers Program working out and socializing. He truly cherished the eight years he spent as an Assistant Coach to the Special Olympics basketball and soccer teams.
Karl was a life member of more than forty years and past Master of Free and Accepted Masons Monroe Lodge 27. He was also a past Patron and the first Vice President of the Lenawee-Monroe County Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Karl loved his family and always made sure his family came first. He never missed his grandchildren"s sporting and school events and enjoyed traveling with his wife on their many trips to Cocoa, Florida and Aruba.
To cherish his memory, Karl leaves his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Sandra; one son, Gordon L. (Lynn) Smith of Monroe; one daughter, Susan (Scott) Baltrip of South Roackwood; two brothers, Richard (Judy) Smith of Monroe and Gerald (Chris) Smith of Kingman, Arizona; seven grandchildren: Patrick (Yvonne) Hammack, Ryan (Julie) Smith, Mark Strimpel, Kimberly (George) Rodriguez, Melissa Baltrip, Matthew Strimpel and Jennifer Strimpel; and seven great-grandchildren: Ava, Jack, Max, Leo, Johnny, Carter and Kaitlyn.
In addition to his parents, Karl was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Jimmy Smith. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in Karl"s memory are suggested to Special Olympics area 34 or ProMedica Hospice.
