Janice Marie Smith

Janice Marie Smith of Akron, age 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Timberline Lodge, surrounded by her loving family. Born July 29, 1938, in Bay City, Jan was the daughter of the late Charles Louis and Fern Marie (Kelley) Severance. She was raised in the Akron Presbyterian Church and graduated from Akron High School with the Class of 1956. In 1985, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Arbor University, a testament to her lifelong love of learning and perseverance.

Janice was united in marriage with the love of her life, Dale Duane Smith, on November 9, 1957. Together, they built a marriage rooted in faith, joy, and hard work, sharing nearly sixty-eight years together. Their early years were filled with camping trips, farming, and raising their five children with strong values and unwavering love. Jan was an instrumental part of their family farm and passed on to her children a love for the land, family, and the Lord.

Janice and Dale purchased the Circle S gas station in Akron in 1975, where Janice’s creativity and drive led her to open a landscaping and garden center at the station. She also worked with disabled adults at the Caro Regional Center and Saginaw County Mental Health. Even after retirement, Jan never slowed down; she served as a substitute teacher in local schools, delivered meals with Meals on Wheels (despite being a bit directionally challenged), and volunteered for the Department of Human Services organizing donations for the food pantry and Christmas for Kids . Her energy and spirit were truly unstoppable.

Jan was a proud and faithful member of Colwood Church, where her deep Christian faith shined through every part of her life. She was a true prayer warrior; joyful, steady, and rooted in the Word. Janice sang with a beautiful voice, laughed often, and found purpose in serving others. Despite living with dementia in her later years, she never lost her cheerful spirit, sharp wit, or her ability to fire off a clever one-liner. She was known for her determination and resilience and faced breast cancer fearlessly, twice. Jan’s family often called her the “Energizer Bunny” when it came to her health; she had nearly every ailment imaginable, but nothing could keep her down for long. She made the most out of every moment she was given, and her family remained the center of her world.

In her younger years, Jan loved to roller skate. Throughout her life, she enjoyed gardening, sewing, crafting, swimming, and reading. She found joy in the simple things, spending time with family, and lending a helping hand wherever needed. She was sociable and welcoming, always finding a way to make people feel included and unconditionally loved.

Jan leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband, Dale; children, Laura (Jeff) Nowlen, Dwayne (Terri) Smith, Wendy (David) James, and twins, Amy (Wayne) Moorman-Minton and Beth (Kevin) Cragg; grandchildren, Amanda (Dan Klavitter), Tracy (Don), Matthew (Stephanie), Taylor, Zachary (Kaitie), Benjamin (Nate), Rachel (Shantanu), Eric, Kayla (Andrew), and Kelsey; eleven great-grandchildren; twin siblings, Charlie (Rita Haag) Severance and Sheryl (Fred) Ruppert; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Janice was preceded in death by a grandson-in-law, Daryne Gailey; and great-granddaughter, Charley Lillian Hendrick.

Janice’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at the Colwood Church in Caro with Revs. Randy Carpenter and Zachary James officiating. The family will be present to receive visitors on Monday, June 30, 2025 at the Colwood Church from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her service at 11:00 a.m. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt sympathy and gratitude to the staff of Timberline Lodge and Residential Hospice for their extraordinary care. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to Timberline Lodge or Residential Hospice.