Hey Mike, 

I want to express my deep gratitude for all the memories and for being an incredible mentor in every way. Our Sunday drives to service and our typical rendezvous are moments I still cherish deeply. I’m truly thankful that God allowed our paths to cross, as you’ve been the truest friend I could have ever asked for.

Sundays feel profoundly different without our usual status updates. I deeply miss your candid opinions and humor—they always brought me clarity and perspective.

I take comfort in knowing that you are resting peacefully in heaven now. I look forward to the day we meet again at the finish line, where I’ll have countless updates to share with you.

Haven't seen you since high shool but I remember us starting the golf team at canal winchester and skating at the pond behind your house .Your brother was my best friend he started me playing golf something I still do today I'll always have fond memories of you and every member of your family you had a wonderful family .My condolences to those I never met and all that I did

We have so many happy memories of times spent with your family. Mike kept us laughing, and the ski trips were great adventures. We could never keep up with him on the slopes; Mike was always waiting for us at the “bottom of the hill”. Winter Park - Purgatory, etc.
The very best memories are the times of worship together, where our strongest bond was formed. Greg put a hole through the wall of a classroom working with Mike, an event we never forgot. “Follow Bob”. Precious memories, and we will be together again, where there are no more tears. We love your family so very much, Greg and Sue

I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to play pickleball almost every morning with Mike. He was one of the first friends I met on the Nocatee pickleball courts. It became a routine for me to see him biking to the courts, beeping at him and him right away knowing it was Laura obnoxiously honking at him. And a nod to know I would see him at the pickleball courts once I got the kids off to school. 

I am thankful for Melissa Rinaldi to paint this portrait of Mike exactly how we all knew him, biking each morning at the exact same time, stopping at Starbucks before heading to the courts. Waiting for others to get there to get his games in. 

Mike was always smiling on the court, laughing and making the best sound effects when he made a bad shot. I loved every chance I got to be on his team and to yell "Michael!" when I wanted him to get the shot. 

He was so supportive of my business ventures and he turned into my on court photographer when I needed to do content for Pickleball in the Sun. He was always asking me how things were going and I'll never forget the day he made me feel accomplished. I gave him a new paddle that just came out to try and he wanted to get one after he realized he liked it. I told him I got it for free and didn't want him to pay for it. He said something so simple, yet made me feel like the hard work I was doing was meaningful - "Laura, you didn't get it for free. You earned it for free." 

In Mike's memory, I will continue to pass that along and ensure I give back whenever I can to someone new that wants to try pickleball. The courts are already not the same and I miss you so much, Mike! I picture you on your bike on my way to the courts and hear your laugh when I know you would have been laughing mid game. 

To Judy and your family, thanks for sharing Mike with us. He was such a great guy and we were all truly lucky to get to have him on the courts. Your Nocatee Pickleball family is thinking of you. Love, Laura Gainor

For Mikes family,

All of you know how special Mike was. He was never unhappy, always a gentleman and I would imagine that you can say so much more good about the person he was. 

We met on the pickleball courts at the Splash Park in  Nocatee.  When we introduced ourselves we quickly saw a fun thing we could say…Mike and Marshall - M&M! Who does not like M&M’s?

Mike will be missed at the courts by all that knew him there. I sincerely hope that you, the family, can find comfort in knowing Mike was a unique person who always brought his smile into everything he did. 

Bless you all, with my deepest symphony extended to each of you at this time. 

Marshall Read

Judy and Jonathan, please accept my deep heartfelt sympathies.  I have the warmest memories of Mike and he will stay there forever as a good and decent man.  Mike and your whole family are in my humble prayers.  Warmest regards.  Marc Felman (senior)

Mikey, such a great guy.  I enjoyed our bike ride down guana trail. You were the one I always counted on seeing down at Pickleball. Happy and smiling and always looking for another game. That was you my friend. You are in a much better place. Miss you my friend.

You surely don't know me but I was an Aero Engineerring and AFROTC classmate of Mike's at OSU.  Mike was as funny as he was smart,  His subtle humor could make a Fluid Dymamics or Aircraft Structures class enjoyable.  He was always ready to help and not too proud to ask for help either.  In the days before Facebook and Instagram it was easy to lose contact after school but. in 2012. I did locate Mike in VA and we had a nice long phone call talking about the old days and catching up.  Sadly, the tyranny of everyday life prevailed and we had not reconnected since then.  Though my Air Force career was a much shorter, just under 8 years, I had an opportunity to fly the OV-10 Bronco  which Mike's dad helped design at the North American Aviation plant at CMH.  Today I was telling flying stories about the OV-10  and mentioned my friend's dad that had helped design the aircraft.  It made me think that I needed to reconnect with Mike and since I had lost his address, I searched the internet and found this sad obituary.  I am so sorry for your family's loss of a fine man.  May God comfort You.  As a fellow Christ follower my sadness is dampened as I know we will have an opportunity to meet again when I too fly West.

Sending prayers to Mike’s family. I always looked forward to seeing him on the courts, always smiling unless he made a bad shot. When my husband was so ill he always asked how he was and how I was. When I had to stop going to the courts because of his care and then returned over a year later, Mike was one off the first people to offer his condolences. He was just a good guy. RIP Mike and thank you for your kindness,

If ever name fit a man, that was Mike.  Always laughing, always smiling, always getting the most enjoyment of playing pickleball.  Mike will be so missed and may he now be at peace and smiling about the life and times he shared with others, and the service he provided to his country.

So very sad to lose such a great guy. Our pickleball family will miss Mike.  Hopefully your family will find comfort in knowing he is not suffering and is in the hands of our lord.

OBITUARY

Michael Timothy Smiley

27 October, 1952 – 12 March, 2024

Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel & Oaklawn Cemetery

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