Michael "Mike" Smith

SMITH, Michael E, “Mike”, age 62 of Vandalia, passed away Thursday, July 25, 2019 at  Hospice of Dayton.  Mike was born September 23, 1956 in Dayton, Ohio, son of the late Jacob E. & Joy S. (Hughes) Smith.  Preceded in death by his grandmother, Elenor Stover and uncle, Walter R. Hughes, and his parents, Mike is survived by his children, Shannon Renee Peck and her fiancé, Tom Keesee and Michael Edward Smith Jr., and his wife, Shyra; 4 grandchildren, Kaitlin Peck, Shyenne Smith, Makenna Smith and Tre Keesee; 1 great-granddaughter, Avery; siblings, Wendy S. King & husband, Timothy, Jeffrey “R.J.” Smith and wife, Brenda and Deborah J. Lewis and husband, John; nieces and nephews, Brad, Ashley, Andrea, Olevia, Paige, Christian, Daisy, Lakeisha, ShyAnne and Aiden; great-nieces and great-nephews, Bailey, Madison, Alexa, Ava, Joel, Ayden, MacKenzie, and Avery; his good friends, Paul Conn, Eric, Gator and his wonderful neighbors, Jean and Mr. & Mrs. Conn.

Mike was a former employee of General Motor and enjoyed wood-working, gardening of both flowers and vegetables, fishing and riding his motorcycle.  He loved western movies, war movies and U.S. history books.  He also enjoyed reading American classic novels, especially anything written by Mark Twain.  Mike enjoyed people and always looked forward to spending time with his good friends at their weekly dinners at the Toll House Tavern in Union.

Mike had a passion for all the men and women who serve and have served in the United State military services.  He enjoyed spending time with friends at the American Legion Post #668, and participating in fundraising efforts and supporting charities for those in need.  He most recently participated in motorcycle events to support Children with Leukemia at Children’s Medical Center, an American Legion ride to support scholarships for children whose military parents were killed overseas and a ride for the local food bank.

A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at 7:00 pm, Thursday, August 1, 2019 at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, 139 S. Dixie Dr., Vandalia with Pastor William Erschel officiating.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 5-7 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s or to the Wounded Warrior Project in Mike’s memory.