Michael William Smith

Michael William Smith,

78, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away September 17, 2022.  He was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 18, 1944 to the late Michael and Ethel (Spurrier) Smith. He spent most of his life in his family home on Ashley Street in Detroit before following his daughter to Indianapolis in 2009, where he resided at Nora Commons Apartments on 86th Street.

Mike attended Austin High School for his first year, and then transferred to Denby High. After graduation, he proudly served in the United States Army as a SP4 (E-4) in Battery B, 3rd Missile Battalion, 517th Artillery, ARADCOM and was honorably discharged in June 1965. Following a brief stint at Chrysler Corporation as a quality checker, Mike began working as a test technician for Michigan Bell (later AT&T). After 16 years, due to downsizing, Mike found work as a machinist and later as a member of the housekeeping staff at Eastland Mall, before retiring.

Mike loved to tell stories, make people laugh and be the center of attention. As a child, he created and performed in comedy and musical skits for his classmates at school. He retained a love of entertainment for the rest of his life, and enjoyed watching classic films (particularly comedies, action movies, westerns and musicals). He was an especially big fan of John Wayne. Mike could tell you in detail about almost any actor or film from the silent era through the 1970’s. He was also an avid military history buff and enjoyed scale modeling of military aircraft and vehicles.

He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Ann (Smith) Inman of New York, New York.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Diane May (Quinn) Smith.

Per Mike’s wishes, cremation will be provided by A.R.N. Funeral and Cremation Services of Zionsville, Indiana, with final interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan. Services will be private. Memorial contributions are welcome and may be made to any charity or organization that helps military veterans.