Tuesday, January 21st, 2014
Thomas Smith
Thomas W. Smith Sr., 71, Celina, passed away at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 19, 2014, at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.
He was born May 19, 1942, in Lex, W.Va., to Virgil and Pearlie Mae Addair Smith. On Aug. 19, 1976, he married Joyce Kemper, who survives.
Also surviving are his daughters, Cheryl L. (Raymond) Hall, Colerain, N.C.; Elyn Selu, Venice, Calif.; two sons, Thomas W. Jr. (Bonette) Smith, Union City, Pa., and David L. Smith and Susan Messerschmidt, Charlotte, N.C.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Glenna (Ralph) Owens, Mooresville, Ind., Joe Ryan, New Castle, Del.; and a sister-in-law, Pauline Smith, Indianapolis, Ind.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Mont C. Smith, and two sisters and brother-in-law, Nora C. Ryan and Belvia R. (Robert) Beckner.
He received a bachelor's degree in education from Bluefield State College in Virginia and a master's degree in education from St. Francis College in Indiana. He was an art teacher at Celina schools for 25 years and retired in 1996. In addition, he coached wrestling and football for Celina Junior High School. He also served his country in the United States Air Force from 1960-1964. He was a member and an Elder of First Presbyterian Church in Celina and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, Celina.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church of Celina, with the Rev. Douglas Meyer officiating. Military honors will follow the services at the church.
Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, and one hour before services Thursday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Celina or Community Health Professionals of Celina.
Condolences may be left at LHDfuneralhome.com.