Dale E. Smith, 63, Celina, passed into his eternal heavenly home on Feb. 16, 2014.

He was born Jan. 13, 1951, in Celina to Ronald Smith, who survives in Celina, and the late Nora Lea Snavely Smith. He is survived by his loving and supportive life mate, Donna Stewart Smith, whom he married on Sept. 10, 1977.

Also surviving are his children, Melissa (Jeremy) Parrish, Ann Arbor, Mich., Jeremy Smith, Findlay, and Hannah Smith (fiancé James Carr), Pickerington; two grandchildren, Madelyn and Andrew Parrish of Ann Arbor; a sister, Beth (Kelly) Hoffman; and a nephew, Cameron, all of Celina.

He was a 1969 graduate of Celina High School and attended Cedarville University for two years before graduating from the University of Findlay in 1988. He retired in 2003 from Verizon Communications and then worked for NKTELCO until April 2013.

He was a member of Aletheia Christian Church, Celina, where he served as a greeter and a fourth-grade Oasis teacher. He loved the opportunity to teach God's word to these children, hoping to make a positive impact upon their lives. He was a former member of the Celina Church of the Nazarene where he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon and was on the live nativity committee that was a yearly outreach to the community.

He was an avid reader and enjoyed reading his Bible, Christian literature and history books, particularly about the U.S. Civil War. He enjoyed yard work, fishing, and NASCAR racing, and followed Ohio sports teams. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, the Revs. Rondall Stewart and Dail Parrish officiating. Burial will follow in North Grove Cemetery, Celina.

Calling is 9-11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Aletheia Christian Church Mission Fund.

Condolences may be left at www.lhdfuneralhome.com.