David Bruce Smith

David Bruce Smith, 72, of Bonita Springs, FL and Morris, IL, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017. He had been a seasonal resident of Hunters Ridge Golf and Country Club in Bonita Springs since 1989. He was born September 17, 1944 in Ann Arbor, MI, the son of Laverne Wayne and Eva (née McIntosh) Smith. David proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1963 to 1966 in Danang, Vietnam. Upon his return, he graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1969 and moved to Morris, IL to work as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America. An opportunity arose for Dave to purchase “The Cabaret” bar and restaurant. At that same time he suggested to his best friends, Bob and Sandi Brenner, to come home to Morris and purchase Weitz Café. Dave successfully operated his bar for thirteen years and Bob continues to operate Weitz. David married his wife, Martha in 1977. In 1989 they became one of the original homeowners at Hunters Ridge, where he enjoyed numerous friendships, bridge and gin rummy games and holds the record for having three holes in one on the fifth hole. Over his lifetime he was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. He studied martial arts and earned four Dan Black Belts in four styles, World Ko Am Mu Do, Kuk Sool Won, USA Karate and Taekwondo. Dave will be remembered as a quiet, kind, honest man. He was an inspiration to us as he remained positive throughout his three year illness with leukemia. Mr. Smith is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Martha J. (née MacDonald) Smith; his beloved children, Kaila Smith-Samuels (Greg) of Ft. Myers, FL and Adam K. (Jennifer) Smith of Bonita Springs, FL; their mother, Joan Neff-Smith of Morris, IL; and two cherished grandchildren, Brittany Smith and Zane Samuels. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Ellen Brink and Virginia McGraw. Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Operation St. Nick, P.O. Box 781, Morris, IL 60450, Moffitt Cancer Center, Leukemia Research Dept., 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612 or to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Cr., Ft. Myers, FL 33908. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

David Bruce Smith

September 17, 1944 - March 24, 2017