Clay Ryan Wenzlick

      Clay Ryan Wenzlick, age 19, of Elsie, MI, passed away on Friday, November 4, 2022, as a result of an automobile accident.

     Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI. A time of sharing will be held on Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home with Mr. Everett Smith officiating. The time of sharing will be live streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page. 

     Funeral Services will be held at Mid-Michigan Raceway Park (Palo), 7573 Hayes Road, Fenwick, MI 48834, at 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 10, 2022, with Mr. Mark Cowan officiating.

     Clay was born on his great-grandpa Richard Wenzlick's birth date on August 13, 2003, creating their lifelong bond. He was born in Owosso, MI, to Jason and Starann (Litomisky) Wenzlick.

     Clay graduated from Ovid-Elsie High School, with the class of 2022, where competed in track, football, bowling and FFA. His senior year he was First Team All Conference and Conference Champion in the long jump. Clay was active all four years in FFA and was a sophomore class representative.  As a kid, he participated in Cub Scouts and 4-H raising animals.

     He attended AIS during high school and completed the program in 2022 as well.  He was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic with CL Excavating in Ionia. Clay was part owner of a snow removal and lawn care business with his dad and grandpa Jim to help fund his racing. Clay began his racing career at the age of six in go karts with his sister and began his dirt late model career at the age of thirteen.  Racing was his life, "all forms of racing", his motto was "Dirt is my drug." Clay enjoyed fabricating in the garage and began welding around the age of nine. Clay loved being around the guys, but at the end of the day, he was 100% a momma's boy.

     He enjoyed hunting, fishing and had multiple Master Angler Award Catches, maple syruping and cross country bike riding throughout Michigan with the Epic Mountain Bike group.

   He is survived by his parents Jason and Starann Wenzlick of Elsie, MI; sister Vidalia Wenzlick of Elsie, MI; grandparents: Jim and Marie Ade of Elsie, MI; Tim and Nita Wenzlick of Elsie, MI; Dan and Pam (Phend) Litomisky of Morris, MI; aunts and uncles: Karla and Mike McCurdy of Owosso, MI; Sandy Litomisky-Ade and Chris Kioski of Elsie, MI; Terri Legg of Belding, MI; Belinda Donnert of Ovid, MI; Eddie and Tiffany Litomisky of Ovid, MI; Christina Litomisky of Lansing, MI; and Brent Phend of Perry, MI. He is also survived by his three best friends: Benjamin Legg, Billy Harris, Justin Prewitt, and Cassidy Harris; many cousins and countless friends.  He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents: Alvera Ade, Richard and Stella Wenzlick, Stephanie Litomisky, and Lillian and Phillip Straub.

     Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.