Melvin "Mel" Smith age 81 of Big Rapids, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2011. He was born December 10, 1929 to Arthur L. and Margaret (Kite) Smith. Mel attended Arizona State College and Texas Christian University and was graduated by the National Installment Loan School at the University of Chicago. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, serving four years during the Korean War. The last three years Mel served in England as a noncommissioned officer in charge of staff operations and the Target Intelligence Center. Mel began his career in banking at the Illinois National Bank and Trust in Rockford, Illinois in the collection department and moved up to manager of the Consumer Credit Division. In 1966 he married Carol Ann Mayer; being skiing enthusiasts, the couple relocated to Michigan where Mel worked at Hackley Union National Bank in Muskegon. He then joined with First National Bank of Big Rapids (now Chemical Bank) and later accepted a position at Huntington Bank and Trust in Big Rapids, retiring in 1992. Mel was an active member of his community. He was a life member of the Rockford, IL Jaycees, the Big Rapids Lions Club, Elks Lodge # 974 of Big Rapids, the Mecosta County Home builders Association managing the Home Show for 12 years and the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce where he served as president for 2 terms. Mel helped support the Boy Scouts of America and had been a leader in Big Rapids for many years. He was extremely honored when he was named the Big Rapids Business Person of the year. Mel is survived by his loving wife, Carol of Big Rapids; three children, Christopher Smith of Murfreesboro, TN, Michael (Katy) Smith of Muskegon, Rebecca (Scott) Klien of Portage; seven grandchildren, Laina, Kyla, Logan, Loryn Smith; Andrew, Ethan and Emma Klien; great-granddaughter, Abby; a sister, Alice Maas of Dixon, IL and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Mel was preceded in death by a brother William Lester Smith and an infant sister Helen Smith. Memorial services are being planned for a future date. Memorial contributions in Mel's name may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Envelopes may be obtained at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids where arrangements were made.