Obituaries

MICHAEL R. SMITH

Easter Lily      Michael Reid Smith, 72, died Sept. 10, 2016. He was born in Defiance, Ohio, on Nov. 17, 1943, to the late Veatch and Lillian Marie (Reid) Smith.

Early schooling occurred in many states across the country including Ohio, Colorado and Tohatchi, New Mexico and California. As a young boy, his interests were model railroad and stamp collecting. His sophomore year of high school was at Jewel High School in Ohio with his junior/senior years at Bailey, Colo. He went to college at Western State College and Colorado State University, majoring in Biology.

At a young 21 he qualified as a TWA co-pilot.

He married Diane D. Wolf on April 5, 1966, and they resided in Des Plaines, Ill. From there the young couple moved to Camp Reinberg, Ill., where Diane taught Outdoor Education. Michael became a Christian by reading Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Following their next move to an apartment, they were blessed with a daughter, Cherie Lynn. From there they moved to their first home in Arlington Heights, Ill., where they were blessed with a son, David Laurence.

In 1975, they moved to their second home in Elkhorn to raise their family in the country, where they lived for 38 years. While living there, Michael became an airline captain at the age of 39, flying DC-9 and 727 commercial aircraft for Trans World Airlines. His flying career fueled a love for book collecting and he knew the best rare bookstores in every U.S. city with a major airport, ultimately curating a library of over 1,500 books. He passed to his children a great love for reading. In particular, he enjoyed history (English, Biblical and European) and British mysteries. He retired in 1992 at the age of 48. He cherished his children and 11 grandchildren and was always interested in their activities. He and Diane shared over 50 happy years together.

Michael was a member of Faith Chapel Evangelical Free church in Burlington. Although not typically a group joiner, he was a member of a men’s Bible study where he grew and loved others. Micah 6:8 describes his conviction of what God required of him, “….to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

He was a beloved husband, father, and friend to the many lives he touched in his 72 years. He had a passion and gift for engaging those around him, listening to joys and pains; giving generously of his time and resources as he was able. His quick wit and sense of humor brought smiles to many a face.

Survivors include his wife; daughter, Cherie and David Los, Sioux Center; son, David and Erin Smith, Springboro, Ohio; 11 grandchildren, Zach, Bethany, Sydney, Rachel, Lillian, Rebecca, Adeline, Gabriel, Hannah, Elisha and Jake; cousins, Cindy Long, Linda Simpson and Jack Long.

He was further preceded in death by his in-laws, Laurence and JoAnn Wolf; aunts, Mildred and Helen; cousins, Jean, Craig and Bill.

Casket bearers were Dave Los, David Smith, Zechariah Los, Gabriel Smith, Pastor Mitch Considine, and Carl Gernand.

Memorial Funeral Home, Sioux Center, Iowa, served the family.

Well-wishers can visit www.mfhonline.com.

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