Marion Lee Smitley ("Richard" on birth certificate) was born to Ray P. and Edyth M. (Denis) Smitley on August 26, 1916 in Fort Wayne, IN. A 1935 graduate of South Side High School, he married classmate, Eileen Anita South on June 11, 1938, while attending Purdue University. Upon graduation, he promptly gained employment as an engineer with Holley Carburetor Company and moved to Detroit in 1941.

Children, Richard (1943), Lynn (1945), Anne (1947), and Alan (1951) were born while living in Detroit. The family moved to Huntington Woods, MI, in late 1951 and when downsizing later became appropriate, Marion and Eileen built a home and moved to Beverly Hills, MI, in 1972.

Though continuing as a consultant, Marion retired in 1983 after 42 years of continuous service with the same company and with over 30 patents.

Marion and Eileen purchased lake front property in 1959 and built a cottage where the family enjoyed weekends of water skiing, etc. The couple also traveled to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China, and Japan, as well as throughout the U.S.

Six years after Eileen's death in 2004, Marion moved to Fox Run Retirement Community, living independently until after his 102nd birthday.

A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, May 4th 2:00 PM (in-state 1:30 PM) at Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336. Rev. Melanie Carey presiding.

The Smitley family will receive guests on Friday, May 3rd 3:00-8:00 PM at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 33603 Grand River Ave., downtown Farmington.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.

Please keep the Smitley family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Friday, May 03, 2019

3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

33603 Grand River Avenue
Farmington, Michigan 48335

Directions In State Nardin Park United Methodist Church

Saturday, May 04, 2019

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

29887 W. Eleven Mild Rd
Farmington Hills, MICHIGAN 48336

Directions Funeral Service Nardin Park United Methodist Church

Saturday, May 04, 2019

2:00 PM

29887 W. Eleven Mild Rd
Farmington Hills, MICHIGAN 48336

Directions