Erich J. Smith

Erich J. Smith, 49, of St. Joseph passed away at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor on August 4, 2018 surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 11 at Salem Lutheran Church with burial following in Coloma Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 10th from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. Memorial donations in Erich's memory may be made to Drews Sarcoidosis Research Fund. Those wishing to leave a message of comfort for the family online may do so by selecting the link on this page.

Erich was born in St. Joseph on April 12, 1969 to William H. and Joan (Molter) Smith. He graduated from Coloma High School in 1987. Erich was the foundry manager at G.M. Foundry in Benton Harbor, which was started by his great grandfather, making him the fourth generation.  Erich was a true Michigan fan and was rarely seen without his maize and blue.  We will all miss his "Hey Buddy" greeting on phone calls and his personal brand of humor.

Erich was most proud of his daughter Hailey Nicole Smith. Additional survivors are his mother Joan R. Smith of Benton Harbor; his sister Elizabeth "Beth" (John) Griesbaum of St. Joseph; nephews Jacob and Nathan Griesbaum of St. Joseph; good friend Robert Alexander of St. Joseph and his furry friends Otis and Lebrona Jane.

He was preceded in death by his father William H. Smith in 1998.

Erich was able to help others through the gift of organ donation.