Darlene Smith

Darlene Ruth Smith, 80, of Sebring, FL, died on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at her summer home in Fountain. Darlene was born in Luther on April 22, 1929, to Byron and Etta Marie Cubley, and moved with her mother to Fountain when “Marie” married James D. Ogilvie. Darlene graduated from Scottville High School and married Clayton James McKee in 1948. They lived in southeastern Michigan where they began raising their family. Darlene worked for the Ann Arbor Public Schools for several years until 1972 when she and Clayton moved to Ford Lake in Sheridan Township, owning and operated McKee’s Resort. She was also employed by Scottville Savings Bank in Fountain. After Clayton died in 1977, she married Bernard Smith, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, on April 21, 1979 at Bachelor Evangelical Covenant Church. Together, they continued to operate the resort until Bernard retired in 1984. Darlene enjoyed reading, cooking, and entertaining friends and family on her beloved Ford Lake. She and Bernard also enjoyed camping and traveling by motorcycle throughout the U.S. For the past 20 years, Darlene and Bernard would leave their Sebring home and spend the summer at Gulembo’s Resort on Round Lake. They made sure to get there in time to attend the annual Fountain Horse Pull on Memorial Day weekend. Along with her 1st husband Clayton, Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother John Reagan. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Bernard; her four children, Michael (Susan) McKee of Chelsea, Diane (Wayne) Wollam of Brighton, Jackie (Jamie) Stephenson of Findlay, OH, and Alan (Sharon) McKee of Monroe; her step-children Tom Smith of Mt. Pleasant, Kathy (Steve) Fought of Wawaka, IN, and Doug (Kim) Smith of Universal City, TX; eleven grandchildren, Brian and Carrie Wollam, James and Elizabeth McKee, Michael Stephenson, Kelly (Mitchell) Rader, Kevin McKee, Lucas and Ryan Smith, Jaelynn and Ashley Fought; several great-grandchildren; her stepsister, Ruth (Forrest) Myers of Clare; and her sister-in-law, Madeleine Reagan (wife of brother, John) of Branch. As per her wishes, Darlene has been cremated, and a private funeral service is being planned at Fountain Cemetery later this summer. Donations to honor Darlene’s life may be made to the Ronald McDonald House organization, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Darlene Smith

April 22, 1929 - July 29, 2009