Gerald John Smits Obituary
With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Gerald John Smits (DePere, Wisconsin), who passed away on March 4, 2020 at the age of 85. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
He was predeceased by: his parents, Harold Smits and Mabel Smits (Gauthier); his sister Veramae Peters; his siblings-in-law, Robert Peters, Jim Powers, John Saubert, Bill Gerbers, Arnie Haevers, Mary Lou Smits, Jackie Saubert and Bev Gerbers; his parents-in-law, Maude (Mallow), John F. Saubert, Elroy Mitchell and Marie Sprague; and his nephews, Mark Peters and Mark Klein.
He is survived by: his former wife Clara Mae Saubert; his children, Cyndee Ahlquist (EauClaire), Gerald J Smits, Jr., Cathie Rugen (Michael) of Flossmoor, Christie Thiesfeldt (Rick), Glenn Smits (Cathi) and Gregg Smits (Hudson); his wife Jill Smits (VanRite); his stepchildren, Jesse Van Rite (Tina Stiegler), Wendy Stone (Danny) and Jason Van Rite (Heidi); his great grandchildren, Briar Mae Carlin, Leah, Lillian, Nora, Aubrey Thiesfeldt, Jack, Stella Smits, Sophia and Sawyer Klein; his siblings, Mary Powers, Linda Heuvelmans, Jim Smits (Mary Helen), Roy Smits (Dawn) and Tom Smits (Judy); and his siblings-in-law, Elizabeth Smits, Geri Saubert (Jeep), Patricia Haevers, Shelly Sprague (Neil), Milian Mitchell (Cerice), David Mitchell (Ann), Gerry Mitchell and Charles Mitchell. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
