Elton "Lynn" Smalley

Elton “Lynn” Smalley, age 80 of Battle Creek passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, December 2, 2023.  He was born in Wauseon, Ohio on August 29, 1943, the son of Vernon Lynn and Georgia B. (Gill) Smalley.  Lynn received his Bachelor’s Degree from Defiance College in 1965 and served more than 35 years with the Federal Government, retiring from the Battle Creek Federal Center in 2001.

Lynn is survived by his wife, Kathy J. (Pickett) Smalley of Battle Creek; his children,  David (Verena) Smalley, Jodi (Harold) Lehman, both of Ohio, and Tiffany (Mike) Schmidt of Battle Creek; his grandchildren, Nash (Danielle) Smalley, Logan (Sydney) Smalley, Kendra (Ryan) Rodgers, Darren Staton, Matthew Lehman, Alexis Lehman, and Ty Schmidt; and his great-grandchildren, Eden Smalley, Aaron Rodgers, Everlee Rodgers, and Oaklynn Rodgers; a great-grandson on the way; his mother-in-law, Ruth Pickett; brother-in-law, Bob Pickett; sister-in-law, Connie (Mike) Ehredt; several nieces & nephews; and dear friends, Jerry Cook, Larry Cox and Rick Albaugh.  He was preceded in death by his parents and three special aunts & uncles, Joann & Harry Atkins, Gertrude & Howard Andrews and Wayne & Irene Smalley.  Many of his favorite memories involved fishing with his uncle, Howard.

Lynn was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron #298, Battle Creek.  He had an incredible sense of humor & quick wit, was a true expert on the “Book of Hoyle”, and will always be remembered for his 4^th of July shenanigans in Apple Valley, Ohio.  Lynn was an avid Ohio State University fan, but also rooted for Michigan State. He enjoyed his lunches with his fellow retirees at Post #298, camping, snowmobiling, cars, and of course, getting great gas mileage, even if it meant driving with the air conditioning turned off, no matter how hot it may be!  Lynn’s true passion was spending time with his family & friends, and he always loved watching his grandchildren play sports.

The family will receive friends 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where services to celebrate his life will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday December 11, 2023.  The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/3934654.  Interment will follow at the Battle Creek Memorial Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the  Cancer Care Center at Bronson Battle Creek and/or the Humane Society of South Central Michigan.  Personal message for the family and favorite memories of Lynn may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.

The family has created a beautiful slideshow of memories and it may be viewed athttps://vimeo.com/user112006878/memorieswithlynn.