Clyde "Gene" "Geno" Smith

Clyde "Gene" Smith, "Geno", passed away at home on February 7th, 2023. He was 70 years young, but his heart was tired. Gene was born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan. He attended Battle Creek Central High School. He had homes in South Haven, Michigan, Cape Coral, Florida and most recently, Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, where he resided. He was displaced by Hurricane Ian and had been living with his daughter since that time in Galesburg, Michigan. Gene was a successful business owner for many years opening his own grocery store, Wattles Park Grocery. He then ventured into the restaurant/bar business starting the Beadle Lake, Pennfield, Galesburg and Marshall Moonrakers, along with Magoo's and Excalibur.

He enjoyed his years and the many friends he made through his businesses. He loved boating and his house in South Haven where many weekends were spent with friends and family. He enjoyed entertaining and cooking for everyone. Gene was the life of the party and was a friend to anyone he met. He enjoyed watching University of Michigan games with friends, especially when they played Ohio State. He was funny with a quick wit and one-liners that we will laugh about for years to come. He loved spending time with his buddies at the Lakeview Lounge when in Battle Creek and spent a lot of time in Ft. Myers Beach at The Cottage, Doc Ford's and SOB's. He was looking forward to getting back to Ft. Myers Beach someday soon. So many memories were made in FMB including family vacations and Spring Breaks with his kids and friends. Once he became a Grandpa, his priorities changed. He couldn't get enough of them. He loved his grandchildren more than anything and spent much of his time in Michigan babysitting, driving kids around, taking them to lunch, hanging out with them at the pool, watching their sports, telling them stories and having fun teasing them. He loved his daughters just as much and was so very proud of them, bragging about them to everyone he met.

He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Smith, Kelly Woytal, and Jamie (Tim) Guilfoyle; his grandchildren, Caleb and Mallory Woytal, Cole and Reid Guilfoyle and Caden Schlotterbeck; his wife, Sharon Smith; step-son, Jason Cance; step-daughter, Darcy (Jeff) Schlotterbeck; his sister, Janiece Moran; his ex-wife and friend, Laura Smith and many dear friends and cousins near and far way. He was preceded in death by his mother, Faye Smith and his father, Clyde Smith.

Friends will be received Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, February 16, 2023 starting at 10:00 am with a memorial service to follow at 11:00am at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 105 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, MI. 49017. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/2880765. Memorial contributions may be made to Beach Talk Radio to benefit hurricane relief efforts on Ft. Myers Beach. Venmo @Edward-Ryan-14 or by mail to Ed Ryan 12700 Vista Pine Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33913. Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Gene may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.