Died March 8, 2024
ELMWOOD TWP Leo Martin Smith, 85, of Elmwood Township, passed away on March 8, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Leo was born on September 11, 1938, in Toledo, Ohio, to Gerald and Ruth (Sheets) Smith.
He graduated from Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio, and later attended Mt.
Union College in Ohio, where he met his soon-to-be bride.
Leo enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where he served in counterintelligence. He took leave to return home and marry Chimera Ruth (Getschmann) Smith, who survives him. They wedded on July 13, 1963, in Steubenville, Ohio.
Leo was a devoted family man who cherished spending time with his loved ones. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a sense of adventure and resilience, often taking them on overnight bike trips. Leo believed in the limitless potential of his family and encouraged them to pursue their dreams.
Throughout his life, Leo was actively involved in various organizations, including volunteering as a firefighter, paramedic, and with the American Red Cross. He was passionate about serving his community and was a legal guardian for disabled adults. Leo and Chimera were foster parents to over 30 wonderful children and maintain connections with a few of them and their children to this day. Leo was also dedicated to his faith and was involved in the Keryx Prison Ministries.
An outdoorsman at heart, Leo loved biking and spent many hours riding on the T.A.R.T Trail in Northern Michigan. He was known for his self-sufficiency and ingenuity, always working on projects around the house and experimenting with new hobbies, such as growing shiitake mushrooms from a fallen birch tree in his yard.
Leo is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Chimera Ruth Smith; his children Deb (Todd) Warren, Linda (Mitch Ronk) Smith, Chet (Brookeann) Jsmith, Quinn (Samm) Smith, Julia (Pat) Buzzee, Wendy (Tom) Morris, and Doris Johnson; grandchildren Jason, Calvin, Sam, Sadi, Gena, Trystyn, Annita Dawn, Adrian, Christian, and Sarah; multiple great-grandchildren; and his siblings Vivian Faircloth, Beverly Smith, Carolyn Crosby, Charlene Jackson, and his sisterin- law Sheralyn Smith.
He was preceded in death by his brother Paul Smith and his sister Leona “Terri” Saunders.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay. Pastor Jonathan Reid will officiate.
Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, PO Box 206, Suttons Bay, MI 49682, or TART Trails, Inc., PO Box 252, Traverse City, MI 49685, or at www.traversetrails.org.
Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with Martinson’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.
