Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

Article published Dec 17, 2006
Brett C. Smith
Jan. 21, 1956 - Dec. 13, 2006

NORTH LIBERTY - Brett C. Smith, 50, of North Liberty, died at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2006, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, after a courageous battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Brett was born on January 21, 1956, in South Bend, to the late Ivan "Bud" and Jeanne (Fetters) Smith. On November 26, 1988, in South Bend, he married the former Mary Ellen (Van Wanzeele) Beyer, who survives.

Along with his wife, Mary Ellen, survivors include one daughter, Kathryn Jean "Kate" Smith of North Liberty; two stepsons, Jason Beyer of South Bend and Christopher Beyer, a student at Columbia College, Chicago; one brother, Gregory Smith of Osceola; mother and father-in-law, Nancy and August Van Wanzeele of New Carlisle; two brothers-in-law, Michael (Penny) Van Wanzeele and Paul Van Wanzeele, both of New Carlisle; four nephews, Nathaniel Smith and David, Scott and Bruce Van Wanzeele; and one niece, Amanda Van Wanzeele.

Brett was raised in Edwardsburg, MI, and enjoyed playing varsity football at Edwardsburg High School, where he was a 1974 graduate. Brett graduated from Michigan State where he earned a BA in packaging engineering. He lived in San Jose, CA, for a short time, and then returned to the Midwest where he was employed for 22 years as Corporate Sales Engineer at Foamcraft, Inc., Elkhart.

Brett was a devoted husband and father, and he loved and cherished his wife, daughter and stepsons. He was very proud of all his children's accomplishments: Katie's artistic, photographic, and writing abilities; Jason's wrestling and Marine discipline; and Chris's acting talents and college goals. Brett enjoyed family vacations, reading, and photography, and was a skilled woodworker and carpenter. Brett had helped many people establish a quality of life that is priceless as a donor through the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization.

A memorial service honoring Brett's life will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2006, in North Liberty United Methodist Church. Rev. Denise Davault Gilbert and Rev. Susan Weickum will officiate. Friends will be welcomed by the family to visit prior to the service from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday in the church. Palmer Funeral Home, Lakeville, is handling arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Brett may be made to the MDA Association, Inc., 314 West Catalpa Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545; to ALS Association of Indiana, 1980 East 116th Street, Suite 105, Carmel, IN 46032; or to the Center for Ethics and Advocacy in Health Care, 2001 Waukegan Road, P.O. Box 525, Techny, IL 60082.