Elaine Ann Smith

.RIGA- Elaine Ann Smith, 89, passed away on December 25, 2022, at Brookdale Senior Living in Bowling Green, Ohio, surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was born in Toledo, Ohio on June 30, 1933 to Eligius and Goldie Anteau. After her father died from an auto accident when she was young, she and her sisters were raised by their grandparents in Blissfield, Michigan, where she graduated in the Class of 1951 from Blissfield High School. On August 30, 1952 Elaine married Willis LeRoy Smith in Jackson, MI. A longtime member of Sylvania United Church of Christ and Central Park Congregational Church, she was able to embrace both difficulties and celebrations with dignity and joy because of her deep and abiding faith in God's Word. She was a supporter of Sylvania and Whiteford Schools choir and band programs, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and the Monroe County 4H program. She was a big fan of University of Michigan football and the Detroit Tigers. She and her husband, Willis, were owners of Central Distributors in Toledo where they often worked 7 days a week for over 40 years. Together, they traveled to all 50 states, Mexico, Canada and Austria, but mostly she loved spending time with family at their sesquicentennial farm in Whiteford Township, Michigan. There they hosted many fun family parties and it was always a gathering place for relatives, friends and strangers; who became lifelong friends. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Willis Smith, her children Janelle (Mark) Chamberlin, Wayne (Paula) Smith, Brenda (Tim) Breneman, Keith Smith, Kent (Sharon) Smith, Kirk (Nancy) Smith, Teresa (Shawn) Hudson and Laura (Ken) Kroesche; 17 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; brother, Bob Anteau; sister, Henrietta Jahns; and special cousin, Allison Ouelette. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Dorothy Miller and Bonnie Kastel. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Sylvania United Church of Christ, located at 7240 Erie St., Sylvania, OH 43560. Memorial visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 from 3-7 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send donations to Sylvania United Church of Christ or to your local hospice organization. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.wagleyfuneralhomes.com.

Elaine Ann Smith

June 30, 1933 - December 25, 2022