Ron, You probably don't remember me but I am your old friend, Al Smith's, younger sister, Susie. I ran around with your sister Kathy throughout our years at Edison School. It was me, Kathy and Jill Jordan all summer long. We shot many a game of pool in your garage. We went our separate ways in high school but we always regarded each other with love and friendship.
The reason I am reaching out to you is because I organize all our class reunions (Class of 74). I also keep track of the classmates who have passed away. At our 45th reunion I created a Memory Book that includes our classmate's school pictures, parts of their obituaries and the best parts of their lives, such as family, career, accomplishments, charities, etc.
I am hoping you can provide some of that information. So many have asked about Kathy throughout the years but I've had no answers. The first I knew Kathy had passed away was when I read your mother's obituary. I was so sad to read it. My deepest sympathies.
I suppose you know that my brother, Al passed away in 2018. Al had fought heart disease with courage and a positive attitude for many years but it finally beat him. Losing Al has left our family incomplete but it has brought his siblings that much closer. What comforts me most is the last months of his life we never hesitated to tell each other how much we meant to one another.
Ron, if you please, I would surely appreciate some information on Kathy's life and death. I will be happy to send you what I write before I share it with her classmates. Thank you for your consideration.
Susie Smith-Scheu.

Happy Birthday Patti. I hope to see you in July but we can't be sure we'll be able to find a place to accommodate a large group, while distancing.

Posted on: Jul 31, 2019 at 8:58 AM

Welcome to the website Judy. I sure had a good time visiting with you this past weekend.
Unfortunately your campfire vest did not make it in the picture. We forgot to tell the photographer to focus in on it. Ha ha!
Hope you had a good time at the reunion. I sure did!

Happy Birthday you old bag! Ha! Wishing you the happiest day. Love you.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister-in-law Edmay Smith. 2017 and 2018 were tough years but you got through them with strength, love and devotion. My birthday wish for you is a happy, healthy 2019. No one deserves it more. Love you Sista.

Thank you for the information Karen.  I will add it to his memorial.

Thank you Karen.  I keep the memory book for the Class of 1974 and I remember when John passed away unexpectedly but didn't know the reason passed away and couldn't remember when.  Where was John living at the time of death and did he have a family?  I like to include that sort of information in the memorial.

I am so sorry you lost your brother so young.  I just experienced the same thing this year.  I lost my brother Al Smith, Class of 71, in February from heart disease.  It's devastating to lose a sibling, no matter at what age. 

Posted on: May 31, 2018 at 8:47 AM

Happy Birthday Johnny! Wishing you a happy and healthy trip around the sun.
It was great seeing you and Jenny in February. The kindness you showed our family means more than I could ever express in words.
Make every day count!!!

Jerry, I grew up down the street from you on Manchester Dr. I was one of the seven Smith kids; Julie, Jim, Al, etc. I was in your sister Judy's class and we were Campfire Girls together. I feel compelled to write this story about you because it has stuck with me all my life.
When I was in the 5th grade, I had borrowed (ha!) a pack of my mother's cigarettes. They were Salem menthol. Three of my friends, also from Manchester Drive, were hiding out in the field behind the playground on Sorin St. We were each smoking the first cigarette of our young lives when you came along and caught us. You asked us what we were doing. Thinking we were so cool, we very proudly told you but asked you not to tell on us. You agreed with us that we were cool but what would be even cooler was if we smoked the entire pack right then and there. After you walked away we began our quest to be the coolest kids in the neighborhood and started puffing away. By our third cigarette we were all sick as dogs.
Jerry, you sure picked the right career path as a teacher because you certainly taught me a lesson I never forgot.
Best regards, Susie Smith Scheu - JA 1974

My big brother, Al Smith fought a long, hard battle with courage and optimism up until the end.  He never complained once and always had a smile on his face.  Al had a bad heart for many years and went through open heart surgery twice.  In April, 2017, out of nowhere, he suffered a stroke.  His wife, Edmay DeBruyn-Smith, (JA Class of 71)  saw the stroke happening and rushed him to the ER where they were able to stop it.  Al was fully recovered in a few weeks.  Edmay saved his life.  In August, 2017 Al was diagnosed with lung cancer but was in remission by November.  We spectulate that the chemo may have weakened his already damaged heart.  In December, his cardiologist sadly informed Al and Edmay that there was nothing more that could be done in South Bend and sent him to the Mayo Clinic for one last hope for a miracle.  Al, Edmay and my sister Julie Smith-Fridley (JA Class of 68) spent 18 days in Minnesota, from Dec. 22nd through Jan. 9th.  Our other brother, Jim Smith (JA Class of 69) and one of our little sisters, Nancy Smith-Catanzarite (MHS Class of 83) joined them during the last week.  They never left his bedside.  Al's heart was pumping at 34% but Mayo gave us all a glimmer of hope but alsa, his miracle was not to be.  After a really rough weekend at home, Al was admitted into Memorial Hospital on February 4th.  After an EKG on February 5th that showed his heart was pumping at less than 15% Al made the hard decision that he'd had enough.  There was nothing anyone could do to repair his rapidly failing heart.  He asked to go home and be taken off all his medications.  Nine days later Al passed away peacefully in his bed.  Al fought harder than most with the rotten cards he was dealt.  Losing Al has left a big hole in our family that can never be filled but Edmay told us that with every surgery, doctor's appointment and set back, Al's motto became, "OK, let's move forward."  And that's what we plan to do. 

In loving memory,

Susie Smith-Scheu (JA Class of 74)