Harlan D. “Smitty” Smith

ESCANABA — Harlan D. “Smitty” Smith, 82, of Escanaba, passed away at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wisconsin on the morning of Monday, September 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on June 15, 1943, in Ingallston Township, Michigan. He was the son of LeRoy and Rose (Boye) Smith. He graduated from Escanaba High School.

Smitty started his career working in the woods then Harnischfeger Industries before starting his 50-year career in the construction industry as a proud member of Ironworker’s Local 783 and Local 8.

Smitty married Sandra “Sandy” Webber on October 6, 1962, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Smitty was the most loving and dedicated husband for just shy of 63 years.

Racing was Smitty’s passion. He spent many years working on cars and racing them with a multitude of great friends and was an avid NASCAR fan. Family gatherings were his pride and joy; he was always cracking jokes and filled the room with his infectious laughter. His family was very important to him. In some of his final moments, he said multiple times “I have the best family in the world.” He also loved hunting, fishing, riding four-wheelers in the woods, and camping with family and many friends. Smitty was a member of Christ The King Lutheran Church.

Smitty is survived by his wife, Sandy Smith; son, Michael (Julie) Smith of Escanaba MI; daughters, Toni Charbonneau of Neenah, WI, and Terri (Chris) Reimer of Escanaba MI; his grandchildren, Brandon (Dezarae) Nolde, Jenna (Nathan) King, Rachael (Logan) Coolman, Heather Bergstrom, Vanessa Reimer, Adam (Kassidy) Reimer, Ethan Reimer all of Escanaba, MI; Caitlin (Tommy) Smith of Gladstone MI, Kristen (Isaac) MacMillan of Okemos, MI, Brooke (Landon) Rankin of Neenah WI; great-grandchildren; Quinn Rankin, Keira Rankin, Julien Nolde, and Cooper King; brothers Gene (Sandra) Smith of Delray Beach, FL and Ron (Judy) Smith of Escanaba.

Smitty was preceded in death by his parents LeRoy Smith and Rose Raymond; his in-laws Burt and Dora Webber; his brother, Lee Smith and nieces and nephew.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 2200 Ludington Street, Escanaba MI. Funeral services celebrating the life of Smitty will be held at 3:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Vicar Sarah Sleeter officiating. A luncheon will be served following the funeral service in the Ludington Room located at Anderson Funeral Home. Entombment will take place in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery. The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Smith family with arrangements and online condolences can be sent to www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.