Dwight Smith

Dwight William Smith, 82, passed away Oct. 4, 2015 at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City. Dwight was born in Charlevoix on Jan. 30, 1933 to Wilma Eleanor (Bellinger) Smith and Joseph LeRoy Smith. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and attended the Army Language School in Monterrey, California. He served with the Army Intelligence during the Korean War, stationed in Japan. He completed his Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Arts, and Specialist in Education Administration degrees at Central Michigan University, with additional doctoral level studies in music at Michigan State University and University of Michigan. For two decades he was a director of bands at East Jordan and Lansing Eastern High Schools. He continued his career as a school administrator for Chelsea, Mancelona, and Litchfield Schools, retiring in 1994. A lifelong musician, Dwight conducted and played clarinet in community bands after retirement. He and wife Judith participated in numerous musical organizations, including the NMC Concert Band, Highlands County Concert Band in Sebring, FL (conductor), Encore Winds, Windjammers Circus Band, and community bands in Charlevoix and Gaylord. Dwight greatly enjoyed the outdoors, including gardening, hunting, fishing, and camping. On April 20, 1957, he married Judith Dechow who survives. He is also survived by daughter Ruth (David) Crouch, sons William (Becky) and Dwight (Natalie), and daughter Kathryn (John) McGee, grandchildren Laura and Timothy Crouch, Melissa and John McGee, brother Joseph (Jan) and sister Barbara (Jack) King. No funeral services are planned. Memorial contributions may be made to the Antrim County Commission on Aging or Munson Hospice House. Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.