Leon Arnold Smiltneck

GLADSTONE — Leon Arnold Smiltneck, 71, of Gladstone, died at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay, on Thursday, June 13, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. While Leon’s death was sudden, he suffered from many health problems during the last 10 years of his life and narrowly escaped death many times.

Leon was born on June 29, 1947, in Menominee, Mich. and lived a life full of adventure. He hosted circuses and haunted houses with his siblings and other neighborhood kids as a child, traveled to the World’s Fair in New York City in 1964, served in the Army Corp. of Engineers in Vietnam, camped in all sorts of rustic places, traveled most of Route 66, and attended dozens of concerts, including the Paul McCartney concert in Green Bay just days before his death.

Leon met his wife, Mary Carrol Dragoo, at the age of 8. They saw “Old Yeller” on their first date a few years later and neither of them seriously dated anyone else. They were married on Aug. 16, 1968, in Menominee, in a wedding they planned in letters written back and forth while he was serving in Vietnam. They remained married until Mary’s death in 1998.

Leon began working at Andex Industries Printing Division when it was created in 1972 and worked there as a die cutter until his retirement 32 years later. In 2011, Leon “fell out of bed, hit his head, and couldn’t get up in the morning,” which left him paralyzed. He spent the rest of his time on Earth living at the VA hospital in Milwaukee and residential facilities in both Powers and Green Bay, where he resided at the time of his death. He enjoyed the daily activities at the nursing home as well as going out to eat and to various festivals and concerts with his daughter, son in law, and several close friends.

Leon is survived by a daughter, Emily (Floyd) Paul, of Gladstone; siblings, Susan (John) Maciak, Gene (Pat) Michaels, Janis Smiltneck, and Julie Michaels; aunts; uncles; nieces and nephews; and cousins, and many, many close friends that he considered family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Marian (Hafeman) Smiltneck of Menominee, and several aunts and uncles.

Leon had a strong sense of humor that allowed him to enjoy life despite several setbacks. He enjoyed camping and fishing in his canoe, listening to music, watching TV, bad jokes, drinking Diet Mountain Dew (Yahoo…Mountain Dew…cold and bubbly), and being the “Groupdad” to several close friends.

Before his injury, he was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 345, the Bay De Noc Indian Culture Association, writers’ group LLOOTOT, and was an “irregular” at the 8th Street Coffeehouse in Escanaba. Above all, he valued family.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday June 19, 2019 at the Allo Coolman Funeral Home (400 S 10th St., Escanaba, MI 49829) with Delta County Veterans Council and the U.P. Honor Guard rites at 2:45 p.m. A funeral to celebrate Leon’s life will follow at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with Fr. Rick Courier officiating. A luncheon will follow services at the Escanaba Eagles Club.

Please visit www.allofh.com to send online condolences to his family.