JOANNE SMEZNIK – The County Press

 

JOANNE SMEZNIK, 90, of Attica, Michigan, died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at her home in King’s Mill. Joanne Marie Bonza was born July 7, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is the daughter of the late John and the late Grace (Lautermilch) Bonza. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Joanne was a graduate of West Tech High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She continued her education at Miami of Ohio University; earning her Bachelor of Education in English & Art.

Joanne married Donald Robert Smeznik on June 23, 1956 in Cleveland, Ohio. Joanne and Don moved their family to the Attica area in 1962. She was preceded in death by Don on December 26, 2021. Joanne was an Elementary School Art Teacher for 20 years in the Lapeer Community Schools District. She retired in the 1990’s. Joanne continued to be husband Don’s and son Don’s greatest cheerleader throughout their coaching careers. She enjoyed golfing and traveling (in fact, she was the travel recreational director).

Joanne is survived by her daughters, Lynda (Robert) Sylvester of Seven Lakes, North Carolina, Larraine (Dennis) Barnes of Twin Lakes, MI and Diane (Warren) Martus of Wayland, MI; sons, Donald (Sharla) Smeznik of Yale, MI and David (Carrie) Smeznik of Otisville, MI. She is also survived by her brothers, Jack Bonza of Parma Heights, OH and Frank Bonza of Dayton, OH; grandchildren, Forrest, Scott, Kelly Jo, Samuel, Ali, Donald, Mason, Zane, Cade; great-grandchildren, Bodhi, Rowdy, Ripley, Maci, Savannah, Samuel, Jordan, and Beckham.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Smeznik; daughter, Kathleen Marie Smeznik; her brothers, William Bonza, Robert Bonza, Ed Bonza; and sister, Gracie Lambert.

The funeral services were held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 700 Maple Vista, Imlay City, MI. The Reverend Father Tom Kuehnemund officiated. Burial followed in Arcadia Township Cemetery, Lum, MI. The family was available for visitation 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 7, 2023 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI and from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to the Center For The Arts Of Greater Lapeer, 810-664-4824, info@pixlapeer.org, 194 Nepessing St., Lapeer, MI 48446. Please be sure to sign our on-line register book at www.muirbrothersfh.com to share your memories and condolences with the Smeznik family.

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