Paul Alan Smit

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Paul Smit, age 61, of Jenison, went to be with his Lord on January 24, 2022, surrounded by his family. Paul was born in Seoul, Korea in 1960 and adopted into the Smit family in 1969. He was preceded in death by his mother, Winifred (Feenstra) Smit; mother-in-law, Janice (VanHouten) Pylman; and sister, Mary Smit. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Debra (Pylman) Smit; daughter, Jennifer (Joseph) Keizer; son, Anthony (Chelsea) Smit; granddaughter, Kaelynn Puff; father, William Smit; brothers and sisters, Laura Smit, Jane Smit, Charles Smit, Sally (Brian) Verstraete; father-in-law, Henry Pylman; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Robert (Joy) Pylman, Thomas (Vicky) Pylman, Mary Pylman, Randy (Cindy) Pylman; as well as many nieces and nephews. Paul attended Oakdale Christian School, Grand Rapids Christian High School, and the culinary program at Grand Rapids Community College. He began his long career with Russ’ restaurants while still in high school and especially enjoyed mentoring the young people that he supervised. He took great delight in the work that he did at his church as an elder and deacon. Paul was always quick to speak of the overwhelming grace that God had shown him throughout his life and in these last weeks faced death with the certainty that nothing could separate him from God’s love for him. The family will greet visitors Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. A service will be held at 11 am on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Cottonwood Church, 1101 Cypress Dr., Jenison with Rev. Matthew Palsrok officiating. Burial Winchester Cemetery in Byron Center. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Cottonwood Church.

Service livestream link: https://www.cottonwoodcrc.com/smit