Michael Smith

1947 - 2026

Michael ("Mike") S. Smith, 78, of Wheeling, IL, formerly of Bettendorf and Des Moines, IA, and Mesa, AZ, departed this life on January 28, 2026.

Mike was born in Davenport, IA, on December 17, 1947, to Charles and Beverly Smith, the eldest of five children. A graduate of Bettendorf High School and the University of Iowa, where he studied Political Science, Mike maintained a curiosity about the world that made him a lifelong learner and voracious reader. Until the final weeks of his life, he usually read at least two books a week. His areas of particular interest were history, politics, geography, science, and technology. He took great pleasure in discussing and debating news, current events, and the books he'd read with family and friends.

An avid baseball fan for most of his life, Mike fell in love with the Arizona Diamondbacks while living in Mesa and passionately followed them for the rest of his life, much to the bafflement and consternation of his family of Cubs and/or Red Sox fans. He also loved music, and in his later years listened to doo-wop radio shows from across the country and enjoyed hearing and speaking with the musicians who performed at Addolorata Villa, the Franciscan senior community where he resided. Always interested in broadcasting, Mike decided in 2025 to revive a longtime hobby and began taking a course with his brother Mark to obtain an advanced Ham radio license.

Mike worked for many years as a Taxpayer Service Representative in the Des Moines office of the IRS. Born legally blind, Mike also dedicated himself to supporting and advocating for the blind and low vision communities through his involvement with the National Federation of the Blind and other local organizations, including, the Lions Club. Twice married, Mike was the proud father of one daughter, Nancy, who was, according to him, his "favorite person in the world." (She thought he was pretty okay too.) He also loved receiving visits from his nieces, nephews, and their kids.

Mike genuinely enjoyed life, and he radiated positive energy in nearly every conversation. His day was never fine, it was great. His food wasn't okay, it was excellent. A book he didn't enjoy wasn't terrible or awful – he just didn't care for it and would prefer to find something more engaging. His good nature and positivity made him a delight to all who knew him. May we take inspiration from his example to seek the beauty and joy in our own lives, and not allow those aspects to be overshadowed by mundane inconveniences or petty complaints.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his niece Anne (Valbracht) Finegold. He is survived by his daughter Nancy Smith and her husband William Turner, of Somerville, MA; his siblings: Patricia (Mark) Kilgore of Arlington Heights, IL; Deborah Rinner of Marshalltown, IA; Sharon Smith of Wheeling, IL; and Mark (Lynn) Smith of Greensboro, NC; his nieces and nephews: Amanda Fortini (Walter Kirn) of Livingston, MT and Walter's children Maisie and Charlie; Laura (Joe) Gustis and their children Matthew and Abby, of Arlington Heights, IL; Elie Finegold of Dallas, TX; Sarah (Kirk) Benson and their children Tommy and Danny, of Mount Prospect, IL; Kate Valbracht (Gabe Reynolds) of Dallas, TX, and Gabe's daughter Ava; Steven (Jillana) Valbracht of Marshalltown, IA, and their children Logan, Mason, and Aria; Audrey Smith of Greensboro, NC; and Jake (Breann) Kavanaugh of Dallas, TX. Mike is also survived by his former wife and good friend Mary Hartle, of Mesa, AZ.

Mike's family would like to thank the many members of the of the Addolorata Villa staff and community who cared for and supported him over the 9+ years he resided there, as well as to particularly thank his devoted and beloved personal caregivers, Joanna Niedzwiadek and Dawn Cantwell, who improved the quality of his life in countless ways every day.

A memorial mass was held at the Addolorata Villa Chapel on Monday, February 2, 2026, attended by members of that community and Mike's immediate and local family. A further celebration of Mike's life will be planned for a later date. Contributions may be made in Mike's honor to the National Federation of the Blind.