Michael T. Smith

Michael T. Smith of Commerce Township, Michigan passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025 surrounded by his children. Michael was born October 3, 1940 in Yankton, South Dakota to Alma (neé Hansen) and Roy Smith and later moved with his family to Estherville, Iowa. After high school, he spent a year studying at Conception Abbey Monastery in Conception, Missouri and then attended St. Louis University, where he met Jo Ellyn Bartsch at a college mixer. They married in 1965, and had three children, Stephanie, Michelle, and Michael.
A devout Catholic, Mike was ordained a member of the permanent diaconate in 1993 and later received his Master's Degree in Theology from Sacred Heart Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Mike loved working with people and for many years served as a deacon at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic parish in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Mike's friendly manner made him beloved by the congregation, including the children, many of whom he had baptized, and who often gave him high fives as they left Mass. Following retirement from a successful career with Bayer Pharmaceuticals, he also worked in various roles counseling young couples for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Mike celebrated his Danish ancestry and tracked down numerous relatives in Denmark, whom he valued dearly. Mike was also a proud veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, and an active member of numerous clubs, including several stamp clubs, the Detroit chapter of the Danish Brotherhood in America, and the Thirteen dinner club.
Mike is survived by his three children, son-in-law Christian, daughter-in-law Jodi, grandchildren Solomon, Clara, and Elijah, and sisters Colleen and Sharon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jo Ellyn, brother Jim, sisters Jean and Patricia, and niece Ellen. The relatives who predeceased him have most likely met Mike at the pearly gates with a water pistol or bucket, the better to continue the water fight that invariably broke out at every Smith family reunion. Mike's warm heart and easy laugh will be missed by his friends and family. They will remember many of his sayings and quirks, such as when he thought you were being dense, "Use your head for something besides a hat rack," or when you held the door open a second too long, "What, were you born in a barn?!" Despite occasionally playing at being a grump, he was unabashedly a people person and was greatly interested in learning about others and swapping stories with strangers. His open-hearted and generous nature led him to always give people the benefit of the doubt (unless, of course, you cut him off in traffic). He was loved dearly by his children and grandchildren (who nicknamed him Grandnappy, due to his prodigious napping ability). In return, upon his death, he bequeathed them approximately thirteen thousand Santa figurines of various shapes and sizes (for which they are eternally grateful).
Funeral mass from St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, 2215 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills Saturday 10 AM (In State 9 AM). Friends may visit Lynch & Sons Funeral Home 340 N. Pontiac Trail Walled Lake (3 Blks. S. of Maple Rd.) Friday 5-8 PM (Vigil Service 7 PM). Memorials to Capuchin Soup Kitchen or Focus Hope appreciated.