SSgt. Wesley Jerome Smith, Sr.

S Sgt. U. S. Marine Corps. W W II
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SMITH, Wesley Jerome - age 88, of Mt Morris, Michigan died February 7th at Brian's House in Davison after a long illness. Funeral services will be 2 PM Sunday, February 12, 2012 at the O'Guinn Family Funeral Home in Clio. Chaplain Jack Eagan officiating. Visitation will take place 6-8 PM Saturday and 12-2 Sunday. Mr. Smith was born July 21, 1923 in Mecosta, Michigan. His parents Earl & Bernice Smith owned a Gambles Store in Mecosta, where they raised five children in a loving home without indoor plumbing or central heating.

During WWII Wesley enlisted in Detroit, Michigan on April 3, 1943 into the United States Marine Corps and taught Aviation Mechanics. He served in the Pacific area from November 1, 1944 until November 15, 1945, in the consolidation of Solomon Islands, Luzon Operation and Okinawa Operation. Staff Sergeant Smith received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps on November 30, 1945 with an award as a testimonial of Fidelity and Obedience.

Wesley met Joan Kathryn Bowne while they were both taking education courses at Central Michigan College in Mt Pleasant, Michigan. They were married on August 8, 1948 at her family's summer home on Lake Michigan. The couple graduated together the following year. He played football at Central Michigan College and received a BA in Math, Physics and Chemistry.

Mr. Smith taught at Mecosta Rural Agriculture School (1949-1952) while completing his Master's Degree from the University of Michigan in School Administration. He served as a Public School Superintendent in Frederic, Michigan (1952-1954); Indian River, Michigan (1954-1959); Grass Lake, Michigan (1959-1967). He then specialized in Public School Business Administration at L'Anse Creuse Public Schools in Harrison Township, Michigan (1967-1975) and Mt Morris Schools (1975-1985). After his retirement he was elected to the Mt Morris School Board. He also later taught students computer skills at Kearsley Public Schools for 15 years. During his lifetime he was awarded Program Director from Mt Morris Area Chamber of Commerce, Registered School Business Administrator by the Association of School Business Officials of the US and Canada, and recognized by the Michigan Association of School Business Officials for his 25 years of outstanding contribution in the field of School Business Management.

Wesley is survived by his wife Joan Smith of 63 years; three children, Deborah (David) Sebastian of Oakhurst, California, Sandra (Barry) Freedman of Shepherd, Michigan, and Wesley Jr (Cheryl) Smith of Alexandria, Virginia; six grandchildren, Rebecca (Troy) Smock of Ahwahnee, California, Matthew (Ruth) Sebastian of Merced, California, Andrea Galvan of Jersey City, New Jersey, Veronica (Brian) Myers of St Louis, Michigan, Johnathan Freedman of Mt Pleasant, Michigan, and Ted Freedman of Shepherd, Michigan; six great-grandchildren, Angelina Myers, Elsa Smock, Emma Myers, Jonah Smock, William Myers, and Rajia Sebastian; sister Maxine Seaton of North Carolina and brother Jack (Delores) Smith of Mecosta, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law David Galvan, granddaughter Devorah Freedman, and siblings Kenneth Smith and Elaine Challenger.

O'Guinn Family Funeral Homes Clio Chapel