Wirt B. VanSlyke, age 96 of Mitchell, died Thursday, July 21, 2011 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Memorial services are planned for a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Will Funeral Chapel. Wirt was born on July 20, 1915 in Detroit, MI to Fredrick and Margaret (Frazier) VanSlyke. He graduated from Cass Senior High School in Detroit, MI in 1934. He worked at Peacocks Jewelry store in Chicago during the 1940's. He was a silversmith at Ford's Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI for many years until retirement. He spent many years in various art classes during his life. He was an artist and collector of many art works. Wirt enjoyed traveling to many places, he traveled Europe before world war II, Mexico,and loved Quebec Canada. He enjoyed all of his present friends and family and remembered all who past away. He was a very kind and gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor. He is survived by a sister Frances Peterson, Mitchell, SD; a niece Noreen (Rolly) Young, grandnephew Quinton Young and family, nephews Curt Peterson and family, Fairport, New York, Dusty Peterson and family,Alliance Nebraska, Gary Peterson and family Mapleton Minnesota , and close family friends Barb and Jerry Reed, Tecumseh, MI and many other wonderful friends.