Donald Smith

Donald K. Smith, 90, of Engadine, was a decorated World War II Army veteran. Mr. Smith died Friday, August 8, 2008, at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace.

Born February 3, 1918 in Lapeer, he was the son of Henry and Elizabeth (nee Kelley) Smith.

Mr. Smith was a 1935 graduate of Lapeer High School and attended General Motors Institute in Flint.

He married Tillie Stoll of Engadine September 14, 1940, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lapeer.

He served in the United States Army during World War II in the Pacific Theatre as a heavy ordinance specialist and received three Bronze Stars.

Following his discharge in 1945, Mr. Smith was employed with General Motors as a quality control inspector for 37 years until his retirement in 1975, moving to the Hiawatha Sportsman's Club in Engadine, where he has resided since. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Engadine, life member of the VFW and the American Legion, member of the DAV, and a 63-year member of the Hiawatha Sportsman's Club. Mr. Smith's interests included hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, and competitive and trap shooting.

He is survived by his wife, Tillie; two children and their families, Larry and Rebecca Smith of Novi and Sharon and Bruce Ashley of Okemos; grandchildren Wendy Whitesell and Cara and Kelsey Smith; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and greatgreat nieces and great-greatnephews.

Besides his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers.

Visitation was Monday, August 11, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Services followed at noon at the church, with Pastor Arthur Bode officiating. Burial took place Wednesday, August 13, at 11:30 a.m. at Stiles Cemetery in Lapeer.

Memorials may be directed to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Building Fund or to the Mackinac Straits Hospital Building Fund.

Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry assisted the family with arrangements.