Paul Goodwin Smith (1925–2006) & Marilyn Grace Shue Smith (1930–2019)
A Life of Faith, Family, and Enduring Hands
Early Roots
Paul Goodwin Smith was born on October 8, 1925, in Victory Township, Mason County, Michigan, the son of Orton Aurlius Smith and Teckla Johanna Olive Larson. He grew up during the Great Depression, working on their farm with his parents and siblings, planting crops, and tending livestock. As Paul remembered in his own words:
“I was born in the Township of Victory in 1925 and worked through the depression. I helped Mom and Dad, and planted the crops. I helped Dad with the animals, until Uncle Sam came calling and I was drafted in December of 1943.”
That draft sent him far from the fields of Michigan to the Pacific theater of World War II, where he served aboard the USS LSM 134. He was a helmsman in combat, and his ship was preparing for a suicide mission when the atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima, ending the war before Paul’s fate was sealed. He came home in January 1946, a survivor, thankful for the chance to build a new life.
Meanwhile, Marilyn Grace Shue was born on December 9, 1930, in Ludington, the daughter of Charles Alvin Shue and Leah Helen Lawton. Her childhood in Mason County was marked by school, sports, friendships, and the steady rhythm of small-town life. She entered the workforce as a teletype setter for the Ludington Daily News before managing several businesses, including Spiegels on South James Street and later Sarah Coventry Jewelry. Marilyn’s life reflected diligence and care, qualities that would serve her family and community in countless ways.
Building a Family Together
On October 9, 1948, Paul and Marilyn were married in Ludington. They settled on a farm next door to Paul’s parents, a homestead on Stiles Road
where they would raise their children for the next 26 years. Life was not always easy. Initially, there was no bathroom in the house, no running water, and winters were harsh. But Marilyn poured herself into motherhood, later reflecting with tender honesty:
“Just holding my babies was my greatest joy in all of my life. Bathing them, caressing them, feeding them, and all that goes with it.”
Together, Paul and Marilyn raised five children: Donald (1949), Janice (1951), Beverly (1954), Joanne (1956), and Larry (1958). Their home echoed with laughter, hard work, and faith. Marilyn taught her little ones to pray, saying,
“Most of all I thank God for giving me hands to use for Him, to teach my little family to fold their little hands and ask Jesus to come into their lives.”
The couple’s home burned down in January 1974, a devastating loss of the place where they had built their young family. Not long after, their paths diverged. Paul and Marilyn divorced in October 1974, but both carried forward the love and devotion they had poured into their children.
Paul’s Later Years
In 1955, Paul had begun working at Great Lakes Casting Company, where he would spend the next 32 years. By the time he retired in 1987, he had earned the title of Iron Master, a mark of both respect and skill. Outside of work, Paul loved fishing, playing cards and pool, and volunteering at the Senior Center. He was active in the VFW and a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church.
In 1976, Paul found love again with Donna Ellen Shaw Petersen, whom he described as “the love of his life, friend, companion and caregiver.” They shared 29 years together until Paul’s death on January 6, 2006, at his home in Ludington after a battle with a brain tumor. He was laid to rest in Lakeview Cemetery, honored with full military rites.
Marilyn’s Later Years
Marilyn’s path took her into new roles that highlighted her compassion and leadership. She married Robert Moomey on June 26, 1976, continuing to expand her circle of family and love. She managed Stockholm Mobile Home Park in Sanford, Michigan, and, with deep empathy, she and her second husband served as house parents for Highland’s Home for Unwed Mothers in Kansas City, Missouri.
Marilyn’s creativity also shone through—she painted oils, crafted gifts, and shared her art generously. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, often reflecting on how her hands—once young and busy with babies—were still at work serving the little ones who came after.
She passed away on September 8, 2019, at Oakview Nursing Home in Ludington, and was laid to rest at Brookside Cemetery in Scottville. At her memorial service, family and friends remembered her faith, strength, and love that reached across generations.
A Shared Legacy
Though their lives ultimately went down different paths, Paul and Marilyn’s years together formed the bedrock of a family that continues to thrive. Their five children, along with dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, carry forward not only the Smith name, but also the values of hard work, faith, and love they instilled.
Paul’s voice, full of steadiness, and Marilyn’s love for her family both stand as testaments to lives well lived: grounded in service, lifted by resilience, and forever intertwined in the heritage of their family.
Detailed Timeline
Paul Goodwin Smith
Birth: 08 OCT 1925 Ludington, Mason County, Michigan
1930 Census: 06 APR 1930
Place: Victory Twp, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Living with parents.
1940 Census: 12 APR 1940
Place: Victory Twp, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Living with parents. Nephew, John Strader, is also living with them.
Military: DEC 1943 TO JAN 1946
Note: US Navy in World War II – Served on the LSM 134.
1st Marriage: 09 OCT 1948, to Marilyn Grace Shue; Ludington, Michigan.
Birth of Son: 18 JUL 1949
Name: Donald Paul Smith
Place: Paulina Stearns Hospital, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
1950 Census: 17 APR 1950
Place: Victory, Mason, Michigan, USA
Note: Wife and son, Don, are living in household.
Birth of Daughter: 07 MAY 1951
Name: Janice Marie Smith
Place: Paulina Stearns Hospital, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Birth of Daughter: 03 JAN 1954
Name: Beverly Helen Smith
Place: Paulina Stearns Hospital, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Birth of Daughter: 29 JUN 1956
Name: Joanne Grace Smith
Place: Paulina Stearns Hospital, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Birth of Son: 29 JAN 1958
Name: Larry Goodwin Smith
Place: Paulina Stearns Hospital, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
1950 Census: 17 APR 1950
Place: Victory, Mason, Michigan, USA
Note: Living with husband and son, Don.
2nd Marriage: 15 OCT 1976, to Donna Ellen Shaw (b. 16 SEP 1932); Ludington, Michigan.
Died: 06 JAN 2006 (9:27am) at home, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Died from a brain tumor.
Burial: Lakeview Cemetery, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Obituary: 07 JAN 2006
Note: Paul Goodwin Smith passed into the loving hands of our Lord Friday January 6th 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer. Paul was born in Victory Township on October 8th 1925 to Orton Aurlius Smith and Teckla Johanna Olive Larson.
He was named after Paul in the Bible by his Aunt Minnie Frick. Paul attended Diamond School and as a youth worked on his family’s farm, in his own words
“I was born in the Township of Victory in 1925 and worked through the depression. I helped Mom and Dad, and planted the crops, I helped Dad with the animals, until Uncle Sam came calling and I was drafted in December of 1943. So I went off the farm and onto a ship. The Navy placed me on the USS LSM 134 and I went to the South Pacific to fight. Three years passed (it was January 1946) and I came home from the service. I was able to buy a tractor and thought it was time to settle down.”
Paul was a member at the VFW, volunteered at the Senior Center, enjoyed Fishing, Playing cards, and pool at the Senior Center and had many friends and family who will greatly miss his love, laugh and sense of humor.
He was married to Marilyn Grace Shue on Oct 9, 1948, and they had 5 children.
In 1955 he went to work for Great Lakes Casting Company where he worked for 32 years, retiring in 1987 and honored as an Iron Master.
Paul was married on October 15th 1976 to Donna Ellen Shaw Petersen; she was the love of his life, friend, companion and caregiver. He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ludington.
He was preceded in death by his parents Orton and Teckla Smith, 2 brothers, Otis Cornelius Smith and Harold Albert Smith, 1 sister, Marie Strader, grandson Michael Paul Smith, and his friend and Father in Law Earl Shaw.
Paul is survived by His Loving wife Donna of 29 years, 5 children, Donald Paul (Vicki) Smith of Kalamazoo, Janice Marie (Ed) Quinn of Scottville, Beverly Helen (Scott) Hooker of Big Rapids, Joanne Grace(John) Bromley of Ludington, Larry Goodwin(Lynn) Smith of Grand Rapids, 3 step children David (Sherry) Petersen of Ludington, Diane (Russell) Sheren of Ludington and Daryl Petersen of Lake Havasu, Arizona. 3 brothers, Giles Orton Smith,Francis Alvin Smith, Charles Leroy Smith, and 1 sister, Iva Mae Figgins, 23 Grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and many cousins and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Dorrell Funeral Home in Ludington Monday January 9th 2006 from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM. Funeral
Services will be officiated by Pastor Leslie Lew and held at Dorrell Funeral Home on Tuesday January 10th at noon. Afterwards a processional will escort Paul to the Chapel at Lakeview Cemetery where the service will conclude with full Military honors.
Click here to see parents: Orton Aurlius Smith and Teckla Johanna Olive Larson
1st Note (in his own words): I was born in the Township of Victory in 1925 and worked through the depression. I helped Mom and Dad, and planted the crops.
I helped Dad with the animals, until Uncle Sam came calling and I was drafted in December of 1943. So I went off the farm and onto a ship. The Navy placed me on the USS LSM 134 and I went to the South Pacific to fight. Three years passed (it was January 1946) and I came home from the service. I was able to buy a tractor and thought it was time to settle down.
In 1948 I was married and bought the farm next door to Mom and Dads where we raised five children.
I went to work at the Watchcase in 1948 and then in 1955 I went to work for Great Lakes Casting Company where I worked for 32 years and retired in 1987.
Things pass and things change, and I became single again. Shortly afterwards I met up with Donna and in 1976 I was
married again.
Now I have sold the farm and moved to town. I still keep busy it doesn’t seem to slow down. Donna and I have both retired and now it’s time to enjoy ourselves and have some fun.
2nd Note(Interview by grand daughter): Paul Goodwin Smith was named after Paul in the Bible by his Aunt Minnie Frick. As a child he was sometimes called Paulie, but as an adult has always gone by his given name.
He was born Oct 8, 1925 in Mason County, Michigan. He doesn’t remember his grandparents as they had both died by the time he was born. There wasn’t ever a time that he didn’t have enough food to eat because they lived on a farm. He went to school at Diamond School, which was a one room schoolhouse. He got to school by walking there. While in school he played ball.
Paul has always lived in Victory Township, Mason County, Michigan because he likes it there. He hasn’t ever wanted to live anywhere else. He has brown hair, green eyes, is 6ft tall, and is in good general health. He doesn’t have any
health problems that would be considered hereditary in nature.
He attends the community church and is a born-again Christian.
Paul’s hobbies are playing pool and playing cards. He belongs to the VFW and has won awards for being a volunteer. He has had dogs, horses and cats as pets over his lifetime. His favorite season is Spring. His favorite holiday is July 4th. His favorite color is red.
His very first jobs were working for different farmers. He has since worked at the canning factory, at Carrom, at Star Watchcase, at Continental Motors in Muskegon, and at Great Lakes Casting. His normal workday was 8 hours long. He was 62 years old when he retired and he considers himself to be a Democrat.
Paul served in the Navy during World War II. He was in the Pacific on the USS LSM 134. He was a Helmsman in combat. Fortunately, he was never injured in the line of duty. His ship had just been ordered to undergo a suicide mission when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and the war was over. Otherwise he probably would have been killed. The longest trip Paul has ever been on was to Japan during World War II.
Marilyn Grace Shue
Birth: 09 DEC 1930 Ludington, Mason County, Michigan
Note: Teletype setter at Ludington Daily News. Manager at Spiegels in Ludington on S. James Street. Manager for Sarah Coventry Jewlery in Ludington. Manager of Stockholm Mobile Home Park in Sanford, MI. House parents for Highland’s Home for Unwed Mothers in Kansas City, MO.
Address: Lived at Route 3, Stiles Rd for 26 years with Paul – home burned on January 5, 1974.
1940 Census: 09 APR 1940
Place: Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Living with parents
2nd Marriage: 26 JUN 1976 to Robert Moomey
Death: 08 September 2019 Oakiew Nursing Home, Ludington, Mason Co, Michigan
Burial: 18 September 2019 at Brookside Cemetery, Scottville, Mason Co, Michigan
Note: Graveside service at 1 pm on Wednesday Sept 18th. A memorial service following at the Amber Townhall on Amber Rd.
Click here to see parents: Charles Alvin Shue and Leah Helen Lawton
I have looked at my hands in the past and tried to look back at my life and all of the things my hands had been through.
From when I was a little girl and playing with my friends, thru’ school and my sports and school work and then on to getting ready to be married and then when my babies started coming with no bathroom in the house no running water and washing diapers in ice cold water in the winter. Just holding my babies was my greatest joy in all of my life. bathing them, caressing them feeding them and all that goes with it.
Then came getting them ready to start school. Then time has gone on and I am so proud of them, love to do little things for them as they are all grandparents now. Now is the time I enjoy my grand children and great grandchildren. My hands still do for these little people in my life what little I can.
I enjoyed oil painting and giving most of my paintings away and crafts I have made. Most of all I thank God for giving me hands to use for Him to teach my little family to fold their little hands and ask Jesus to come into their lives. Now their hands are doing all of the things for their children and grandchildren that they all love so much.
This all went through my mind again when I read about “Grandma’s Hands”. – Marilyn (Aug 2007)
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