Alvin J. Smit

Alvin “Alf” J. Smit, age 92, of Hudsonville, was called peacefully to his eternal home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 19, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Helen (Hoogewerf), of 65 years; daughters, Laura (Gregory) Zandstra, Rebecca (Verlan) Van Ee, and Jennifer (Timothy) Vroom; 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; his sister, Barbara (John) Laninga; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra (Bill) Madura; great-grandson, Jude Van Ee; great-granddaughter, Indigo Altman; his parents Joseph and Alice Smit; brothers, Gerald (June) Smit, James (Judy) Smit; and sister, Joanne (John) Witvoet. Alf served honorably in the U.S. Army as an MP on the Korean peninsula during the war. He, along with his brother, Jim, continued their Dad’s excavating business, Joe Smit & Sons in Lansing, Illinois. Once Jim’s sons were ready to take over the business, Alvin and Helen enjoyed traveling around the country doing hurricane relief and volunteer work for organizations such as Wycliffe Bible Translators and Habitat for Humanity. When they preferred staying close to home, they volunteered at Love INC and Crossroads Prison Ministry. Alf was also a Gideon for many years. One of his greatest joys was mowing the lawn which he did often at Fairway Christian Reformed Church. Alvin Smit was known for being a humble man of integrity who was firm in his convictions. With an easy-going sense of humor, he kept his family and friends smiling and used playful teasing to teach important life lessons. He was full of genuine kindness and unconditional love and had a spiritual wisdom that cannot be taught. He was treasured by all who knew him. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at Fairway Christian Reformed Church, 1165 44th Ave., Jenison, Alvin’s son-in-law, Pastor Verlan Van Ee officiating. The service will be live streamed on the church website at http://www.fairwaycrc.org. The burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Saturday, from noon-12:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Memorial contributions in memory of Alvin Smit may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators or The Gideons International.