Stephen Douglas "Steve" Smith

Stephen Douglas "Steve" Smith of Battle Creek, MI







Steve, age 65, died Friday evening, May 9, 2014 at the Boschway Adult Foster Care Home, Battle Creek, surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy illness.


Steve, the son of Harlow D. and Marion I. (Cantrell) Smith, was born on December 25, 1948 in Battle Creek and was a lifetime resident. He was a 1967 graduate of Lakeview High School; received his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Western Michigan University in 1971 and his Masters from Western in 1979. While earning his BA from Western, he was a finalist for the D.C. Shilling Award for outstanding graduating seniors of 1971.


Steve was a Government and American History teacher for Mendon High School from 1971 until 1987 and retired from Lakeview High School in 2007 due to illness. In 2008 he was awarded the Excellence in Education Award for his work with students.


During Stephen's early years in high school and college he was the lead guitarist for the groups Syndicate and Odyssey. His bands opened for such entertainers as Tommy James and Alice Cooper. His love of music was brought to his students at the end of each semester when he would play guitar. He invited them to bring their own instruments to jam along with him. His motto for teaching was "To learn and never be filled is Wisdom; to teach and never be weary is love".


Steve was united in marriage to the love of his life, the former Kristina Elizabeth Yunt on June 9, 1973 in Battle Creek at Redemption Lutheran Church. Surviving is wife of more than 40 years, Kris; his two sons, Kyle J. (Chincha) Smith of Hermosa Beach, CA and Gregory D. (Betsy) Smith of Mattawan, MI; two precious grandchildren, Evan S. and Ayden M. Smith; his dad, Harlow "Doug" Smith of Mesquite, NV; his sister, Cathy R. (George) Petrus of Mesquite, NV and a nephew, Todd A. (Elizabeth) Phipps of Mt. Horeb, WI. Steve was preceded in death by his mom, Marion in 2004.


Stephen's first love was his family but he was also an avid hunter and sportsman, a passion he passed on to his sons. He was a member of Pheasants Forever and the National Rifle Association.


The Funeral Service to celebrate Steve's life will be held on Saturday, May 17th at 1:30 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek, with the Rev. Larry T. Messer, Pastor of the Battle Creek Bible Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16th at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Steve's honor may be directed to the Marion E. Burch Adult Day Care Center, 1150 E. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49014 or to Lakeview High School Foundation, 15 Arbor Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015.