Shirliann Smith

Shirliann Smith, aged 84, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on August 5, 2025. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 65 years, Roger, daughters Dawn (Bill) Moore and Tanya (Mark) VanderZanden, sister Sally (Rick) Wright, many nieces and nephews, and her new friends at The Cortland Riverside Gardens. She was preceded in death by her parents Gladys Listing Lehrbass and Paul Listing, her sister Janet (Dick) Suschil, and infant granddaughter, Paige Suzanne.
Born and raised in Scottville, Michigan, Shirli and Roger made their home in Grand Rapids, where Shirli worked in the administration office of the newly established Northview School district, as Roger started his career as a math teacher at the brand-new high school.  After leaving the workforce to raise her two daughters, Shirli worked as bookkeeper for Display Pack, and later for Van Hoeck’s Shoes in downtown GR. 
Roger and his daughters would like to thank Emmanual Hospice and the staff at The Cortland Riverside Gardens for their loving care of Shirli in her last days. The family plans a Celebration of Life to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 1601 Post Dr. NE, Belmont. A light lunch will be served immediately following the service.