Joseph SMITH

SMITH, Dr. Joseph M.

DR. JOSEPH M. SMITH, 52, of Springfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 9, 2021. He was born in Kettering, Ohio, on September 20, 1968, the son of Joseph W. and Mary Ann (Domansky) Smith.

Joe earned his Bachelor's Degree from Miami University where he was president of

Theta Chi fraternity. In 1995, he graduated from the University of Cincinnati Medical School and served his residency at Miami Valley Hospital. He founded, with his partner, Alper Sarihan, Northside Family physicians in 1998, serving the Springfield community for 26 years.

He was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, Clark County Medical Society, chairman of the co-management board at Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital, and served as physician for the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center.

The center of his life was his wife and children. Every free moment was spent watching their sporting events and being present at the 'little things'. Joe would drop anything he was doing to take care of Nicky, Joseph, Megan and Matthew's needs. His life-long friendships were ever present in his life. He enjoyed the outdoors and travel, cooking and volunteering in the community and at church. He will be remembered for his caring and compassion for his family, friends, patients, and community.

Joe is survived by his mother, Mary Ann Smith; wife of 19 years, Nicky M. (Vallo) Smith; their three children, Joseph, Megan and Matthew; brother, Michael (Patti) Smith; sister, Kathy (Rick) Cherubini; nieces and nephews, Kaley, Ashley, A.J., and Eric; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father in 2019.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday in the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME. Facial

coverings and social distancing are strongly encouraged. A Mass of Christian Burial for family and close friends will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Raphael Church with Rev. Fr. William Kramer, celebrant. The service will be livestreamed on the Littleton & Rue Facebook page beginning at 10:30 a.m. A private burial will be in Ferncliff Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make contributions in Joe's memory to the Animal Welfare League or the American Cancer Society. You may express condolences to the family at www.littletonandrue.com.