Owen Sidney Smith, 84 of Mio passed away peacefully in his sleep with loved ones by his side at his home on Monday, May 8, 2023. Owen was born November 16, 1938, in that very same home to George Sidney and Thena Elizabeth (Pearsall) Smith. He was a 1959 graduate of Mio High School. On April 17, 1971, he married the love of his life, Inez Edith Holcomb, whom he met at a rodeo on Sparta, Michigan. She preceded him in death in 2007.
Owen worked for the Oscoda County Road Commission for 28 years. He served on the Road Commission board for six years. He also worked for the Roscommon County Herald and the Department of Natural Resources. He volunteered with the Oscoda County Police Department as an auxiliary police deputy and with the Northwoods Sportsman’s Club. He is a past Master and a Life member of the Mio Masonic Lodge #596 for over 45 years. In 1996 he participated in the Wild Stallion Combat Survival Training, which teaches advanced techniques in combat search/rescue and survival.
Owen enjoyed volunteering, horseback riding, motorcycle riding, the banjo, and being with friends and family. Being a grandfather was the joy of his life.
He is survived by his daughter, Shannon Lee (Matthew) Glaza; granddaughters Grace Isabella and Sophia Sidney Glaza, all of Grand Blanc; sister Karen Smith of Mio, sisters-in-law Jeanne (William ) Haslock of Davison, Ruth (James) Hennig of Clarkston and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Thena “Peggy” (Dick) Nagel, and Vonda (Charlie) Sedlacek.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the many friends and family that came to visit Owen in his last days, and especially Richard & Carol Ellis, Robin Garrison, The Villa of Rose City, and Promedica Hospice. You all helped make Owen’s last days joyful and peaceful.
Visitation will be at the Lashley Funeral Home from 4-8pm on Thursday, May 11. There will be a Masonic services offered by the Mio Lodge #596 F. & A.M. at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 12 at 1:00 pm, also at the funeral home. This will be followed by a graveside committal service, officiated by Mr. Cletus Bishop at Kittle Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at Kittle Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mio Masonic Lodge #596, 424 Deyarmond St, Mio, MI 48647.
Arrangements by Lashley Funeral Home, Mio, MI.
