Mike Smiley, a 15-year-resident of Joshua Tree, died Friday, May 10. He was 60 years old. Mike Smiley is survived by his wife, Betty Young, his son, Chad Smiley, of Kennewick, Washington, and three grandchildren. Smiley was a well-known artist in the Morongo Basin who was self-taught in metal, silver jewelry, and stone. He was a member of numerous art and conservation groups in the Morongo Basin, and a member of the board of directors of the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. His hobbies included birding, photography, history, and reading. A celebration of Mike Smiley’s life will be held at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Friday at 10 a.m. Attendees are asked to “dress like Mike would dress.” In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Mike Smiley to the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley.
