Phillip Howard Smith

Phillip Howard Smith, age 70, went to be with the Lord on May 4, 2019. He was born January 20, 1949 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Margaret and the late Lincoln Smith.

He was the second oldest of 5 brothers; Steven Smith, Mikel Smith, Mark Smith, and Kenneth Kirsch. He attended Comstock Schools and graduated in the class of 1967. Phillip attended Kellogg Community College and worked at Durametallic Corporation starting in 1967 until drafted into the United States Army, serving in infantry combat in Vietnam. He was later stationed in Okinawa for the remainder of his duty. Phil was honorably discharged in the fall of 1971. Following discharge, he returned to work at Durametallic Corporation, now Flowserve, where he was employed until he retired in 2004.

In his spare time, Phillip enjoyed hunting, fishing, up north trips, working outside, camping, fixing things, and spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Steven, Mikel, and Mark Smith, and his step-father, Carl Kirsch.

Phillip is survived by his son, Jared and Lindsay (Stapert) Smith and their children, Jordan Smith and Jada Clomon and daughter, Jill (Smith) and Russ Mitchell and their children, Hannah, Mary, Emily, and Rusty Mitchell. Also surviving are his mother, Margaret (Koscher) Smith-Kirsch; brother, Kenneth Kirsch; and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much.

A funeral service will be held Friday, May 10, 2019 at 4:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007, where friends and family may visit two hours prior from 2-4:00 PM. A private interment at Ft. Custer National Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.