Obituaries

Lester Edwin “Ed” Smith, age 83, of DeTour Village, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He was born on February 27, 1943, in Lima, Ohio, to Lester Earl and Grace (Bowdle) Smith.

Lester grew up in Waynesfield, Ohio, and graduated from Waynesfield-Goshen High School in 1961.

Ed devoted nearly thirty years of service to his country. He proudly began his career as a 1965 United States Air Force Academy graduate and went on to earn the coveted Commander’s Trophy as the top student in his pilot training class. He chose to fly the CH-3 helicopter as it reminded him of the heavy machinery used on his family farm in Ohio. He fondly recalled “the aircraft didn’t want to fly, we had to keep it in the air”. In 1967, Ed answered our nation's call during one of the most challenging times in history. He flew clandestine missions often in hostile environments earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross as one of the few pilots to fly the “Black Maria” aircraft. These flying missions were so famously disruptive to the enemy, a bounty was offered to anyone who could shoot it down. His “Black Maria” was later selected for display at the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Ed returned to the States to settle down and start a family, marrying the former Joy Johnson, with whom he had two children. After a brief return to Ohio, Ed could not ignore his passion to fly. He and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he flew several search and rescue missions, most famously, lifting survivors from the rooftop of the Las Vegas MGM Grand Hotel in 1980. Shortly after, he and his family relocated to Alabama, where he continued to serve in several military leadership roles until his retirement in 1997. Despite his numerous military decorations, in a memoir, Ed noted that the gift of being a father outweighed any military accolade or accomplishment. True to this, Ed always made time for his family and friends.

Known for his calm, quiet presence and dry sense of humor, Ed was above all, a loyal friend, devoted husband, loving father and a proud “Grandpa Lester”. Family trips each summer to Michigan’s Les Cheneaux Islands were some of Ed’s fondest childhood memories. Shortly after his retirement, he fulfilled his dream of living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the town of DeTour Village. He and his wife Janice “Jan” Smith quickly became part of the DeTour Village family and were warmly greeted anywhere they went between the bridge and the Sault. He was an eager tour guide who loved sharing his joy of seeing flowers bloom every spring and marveled at the changing leaves in the fall. Some years, he even prepared for the long Michigan winters with enthusiasm. Despite the distance in miles between Ed and his family, they were happy he lived the life he wanted, where he wanted to live, and are grateful to his DeTour family for embracing him and Jan.

Ed is survived by his former wife, Joy (Dickey) Smith; children, Cindy (Edward) Stoffregen, Justin (Francine) Smith, Jennifer (Jeffrey) Anderson, and Christopher Johnson; grandchildren, Alyssa Smith, Jacob Smith, Kaylyn Addison, Alex Johnson, and Connor Johnson; sister, Alice (Abby) Dewar; and his dear brother-in-law, William Tucker.

Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Janice Smith; sister, Annetta (William) Tucker; and his greatly beloved pup, Sophie.

Keeping with Ed’s wishes, the family will host a private service near his Ohio hometown in August.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted with the arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.