Michael Smith

Michael “Mike” Anthony Smith, 61, of Ashton, IL, passed away on April 30, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. He was born on October 11, 1961, to Patrick and Betty (Johnson) Smith, in Memphis, TN. He graduated from Elgin Larkin HS, Elgin, IL, in 1979. He went on to attend Northern Illinois University, where he met Donna Brown. They lived five rooms apart in Grant North. They married on March 8, 1986, in Schaumburg, Illinois. They ultimately moved to Ashton, IL, after buying a little fixer-upper farmhouse—Mike’s dream house. They raised two amazing young women, Sarah and Sammy. Mike tried to get to as many of their softball, basketball, and volleyball games as possible. For the last six years Mike worked as the assistant director of maintenance for the Amboy School district. Before that he did apartment maintenance and ran his own handyman business. Working with his hands and fixing things was something he loved to do. When he wasn’t working to earn a living, he tried to keep up with the many projects on the farmhouse. His hobbies included reading, watching car shows on TV, and, top of the list, fishing. He and Donna tried to go fishing as often as possible and he could spend an entire day in a boat with a fishing line in the water. Mike is survived by his wife, Donna (Brown), daughters Sarah and Sammy, sister Kathy Griffin, brother Steve (Carol), and nephews Christopher, Reid, Patrick, Neil, and Andrew. He was preceded in death by his father Patrick and mother Betty.
There will be a visitation on May 12 from 3:00 pm -7:00 pm and May 13 from 10:00 am -11:00 am at the Ashton United Methodist Church, 906 Richardson Avenue, Ashton, Illinois. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am at the Ashton United Methodist Church. Mike was a very simple guy, so please wear whatever makes you comfortable. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, or Habitat for Humanity.
Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL. www.statelinecremations.com