Charles Smits

Charles Smits, age 88, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; grandson, Tyler Slaughter.  He will be lovingly remembered by his children: Deborah Kay (Michael) Slaughter, Richard C. (Diane) Smits; grandchildren: Bradford (Erin Victory) Slaughter, Mackenzie Slaughter, Allison (Matt) LaCross, Jennifer (James) Beckering, Bryan (Nikki) Smits; 7 great grandchildren.  Charles served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and retired after many years from Attwood Corporation in Lowell.  He loved being outdoors, especially gardening, fishing and spending time with family at Pickeral Lake.  Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, with Rev. Don VanSlyke officiating.  Interment Fairplains Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 11 a.m.-12 noon at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to his grandson, Tyler Slaughter’s Scholarship Fund at Fremont Area Community Foundation.  To do so, please make your check payable to FACF, (write “Tyler Slaughter in Memory of Charles Smits” on the memo line) and mail it to: Fremont Area Community Foundation, PO Box B, Fremont, MI 49412.  If you wish to make an online donation go to facommunityfoundation.org and follow the “Give Today” boxes, making sure to add Tyler’s name to the Purpose of Gift section shown on the 4th step of the online donation. Please call FACF at 231-924-5350 if you have any questions about how to make your donation.