Ila Smith Obituary

Ila Mae Smith, age 94, of Custer, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Medilodge in
Ludington.
Ila was born on January 14, 1929, in Flint, to Hiram and Edith (Henson) Price. She was raised
on a farm in Melvin, Michigan, before moving with her family to a farm just north of Custer. She
graduated from Custer High School with the class of 1946.
On October 16, 1948, she married Orval W. Smith at Bachelor Church, by Rev. Frederick
Stewart. They celebrated 66 years together before he preceded her in death on January 14,
2015.
Ila worked on and off through the years for Pinkerton's Drug Store. She was a charter member
of the Custer VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and along with Orval was a member of the Belles and
Beau's Square Dance Club. She also bowled in many leagues over the years.
She enjoyed traveling, flower gardening, collecting depression glass, photography, researching
family genealogy, and playing cards with family and friends.
Ila is survived by her daughter, Diane; son, Duane; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Ann and
Curtiss Berndt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ila was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; brother, Donald (Rosalie) Price; sisters,
Betty (Charles) Faltinek, and Claribel (Frederick) Brunner; sister-in-law, Lorraine (Curly)
Hinezman; and brother-in-law, Pete (April) Smith.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 11am at Riverside Cemetery, in
Custer.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Custer Fire
Department.
Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington,
www.OakGroveLudington.com.