Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 3/22/2002

Ethel R. Smudey

Feb. 19, 1915 - March 20, 2002

Ethel R. Smudey, 87, of Ontario Road, Niles, Mich., formerly of South Bend, Ind., died following an illness at 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, in her residence.

Mrs. Smudey was born Feb. 19, 1915, in South Bend, to the late Michael and Rose (Horthy) DeKan. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Rose Marie Jackson; a grandson, David S. Kent; a sister, Grace Miller; and by three brothers, Scott, Charles and William DeKan.

On Oct. 14, 1933, in South Bend, as Ethel R. DeKan, she married Joseph B. Smudey, who survives. She is also survived by three daughters, Patricia (Carmelo) Ritschard of Granger, Ind., Dolores J. Smudey of South Bend and Shirley (Dennis) Alvaro of Honolulu, Hawaii; one son, Leonard (Debra) Smudey of South Bend; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Helen Van Hoedt.

Mrs. Smudey was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Her favorite pastime and passion was playing cards, any type of cards.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Welsheimer Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road. Cremation will take place with burial at Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until time of services in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 425 N. Michigan Street, Suite 308, South Bend, IN 46601.