Ralph "Red" Smith

Smith, Ralph "Red"
1925 - 2019
Ralph "Red" Edmund Smith, age 93 of Centerburg, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Friday, January 25th, 2019 at Country View of Sunbury. He was born on December 6, 1925 in Lockbourne, OH to the late Orren "O.D." and Grace M. (Miller) Smith. Ralph graduated from Hartford High School in 1943, and entered the U.S. Army in October of 1944, attaining the rank of corporal before his discharge in July of 1946. He met the love and devotion of his life, Elizabeth "Libby" Miller after his stint in the military. Ralph and Libby were married on March 6, 1949. A longtime member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, Ralph was a member of the Hartford Twp. Fire Department, serving as its chief for many years. He was also a Hartford Twp. Trustee. Red was an avid fisherman and golfer, and enjoyed bowling in his younger years. He and Libby enjoyed watching all types of "ball" sports, and were particularly fond of the Buckeyes. Ralph is remembered as a mild-mannered man, and "the most wonderful guy a person could meet." Fond family memories are those of the fishing trips to Canada with Ralph and his boys, and 30 years of annual fishing expeditions to Florida. Raising three fine sons and seeing them establish successful, loving families of their own was his proudest accomplishment (along with that big fish he caught). In addition to his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Ralph is survived by sons Mark (June) Smith, Doylestown, OH; Tom, Centerburg; and Paul (Priscilla), Roswell, GA, as well as grandchildren Molly Smith, Emily (Gregory) Arters, and Christopher (Natalia), great-grandchildren Mia, and Stefan De La Guardia; great grandchildren Korey and Kelsey; and brother Loy (Annabelle), Sunbury. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his sister Ruth Solt. Friends may call Monday, January 28th from 4-6 p.m., at the DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home, 637 N. St. 61, Sunbury, where service will be held Tuesday at 12:00 noon, Pastor Mark Wildermuth officiating. Interment will follow in Eastview Cemetery in Centerburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church of Mt. Vernon or to the Hartford Twp. Volunteer Fire Department. Condolences and special memories may be shared at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com. The DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home of Sunbury is honored to serve the Smith family.