"Note Change of Date for Graveside Service."

Elton Wilson Smith, 88, of Traverse City and formerly of Flint, died Saturday, April 23, 2016 at his home in Traverse City, with loved ones by his side and many not present, praying in love for him.

Elton is survived by his children, Catherine Louise Smith, of Fort Worth, Texas, Michael Elton (Judith) Smith, of Cedar, Melanie Gail (William) Rudy, of Cedar, "the twins," Mary Margaret Mitchell, of Kingsley, and Virginia Ann Smith, of Traverse City; 17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren;siblings, Constance Hughey, of Owosso, Oklahoma, Theodore (Mary) Smith, of Roger, Arkansas, Marilyn Ziegler, of Memphis, Tennessee, Caroline Pfund, of Rapid City, King O. (Martha Jean) Smith, Jr., of The Villages, Florida, and Rosalie (Michael) Pippen, of Lake Ann; a sister-in-law, Doris Smith, of Bellaire; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Elton was preceded in death by his siblings, Gene Valjean Smith, Douglas Conrad Smith, Barbara Lou Koutnik and William Otto Smith.

Visitation for Elton will take place from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. The funeral service will begin at 2:30 P.M. Thursday, April 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1003 S. Maple St., Traverse City, with Pastor Robert Zagore officiating. Graveside services with military honors and rites will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, May 2 at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI 48442 (just south of Flint)

The family would ask that Elton be remembered through memorial contributions in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate .

In loving memory, with our Lord at heart, per Dad "If you don't have something nice to say...don't say anything at all".