Kenneth D. Smith

Kenneth D. Smith, 94 passed away peacefully November 1, 2023 during the winter season's first snow with his wife and children at his side. Ken was born on September 7, 1929 to Chester and Esther Smith. He grew up in the Barberton/Norton area and graduated from Norton High School in 1947. In 1948, he joined the National Guard. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served until 1955. He completed his apprenticeship in wood pattern making while in the Navy and went on to work for BF Goodrich, XX Pattern Works, and lastly GM. His love for woodworking was evident by all the items he made. Whether it was a school desk, furniture, cabinets, sandboxes, cedar chests, picture frames, ornaments, headboards, or trellis, you name it - he made it.

With the help of his mom, he met the love of his life at a Grange meeting. He and Mary Lee continued to be active in the Grange for 70+ years. They were married in Mt. Perry in 1957. They bought a house in Norton and raised their family there. Faith, Norma, Joyce and Eric all shared a cape cod house with 1 bathroom and a large backyard. The backyard was big enough (almost 2 acres) to raise lots of vegetables and carry a lot of stories through the years.

Ken and Mary Lee faithfully attended church every Sunday. His faith was evident by his daily life. He was always the first to jump in and help out whether it was church, Grange, Boy Scouts, Galehouse Tree Farm, Lions, Norton High School Band boosters (fruit sales), or donate blood to the American Red Cross (he can be credited with donating 20 gallons of blood). In his later years, he and Mary Lee both gave countless rewarding hours to the Akron Children's Hospital Medical Center as volunteers. Ken had 11,000 hours in over 25 years. He was known there for all the smiles he gave!

His greatest joys were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He never turned down an opportunity to spend time with them. This included hiking in McKee's woods with a packed lunch, lunch at school on Grandparent's Day, band and choir concerts, high school and college graduations and weddings.

Thankful for his longevity and love are his wife, Mary Lee of 66 years; daughters, Faith (Carl) Weber, Norma (Ray) Yoder, Joyce Appleman; son, Eric (Lorraine) Smith; grandchildren, Kathleen (Steve) Kraus, Matthew (Katherine) Weber, Stephanie (Stephen) Curitore, Rebecca Yoder, Andrew Yoder, Anthony (Josh) Appleman, Rachael (Xavier) Yates; great-grandchildren, Hazel and Grace Kraus, Olivia and Madeline Curitore, Carter and Beau Weber. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Esther Smith; siblings Delbert (Helen) Smith, Arlene (Fred) Galehouse and Melvin Smith.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice for their excellent attention and care for Ken during his time of need.

The family will greet friends at First Presbyterian Church of Barberton, 636 W. Park Ave., Barberton, OH 44203 on Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service at Noon. A luncheon will follow the service at 1 p.m.

Inurnment will follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman (Seville) in the Spring of 2024.

In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Barberton, Akron Children's Hospital Medical Center (Volunteer Center) 214 W. Bowery St, Akron, OH 44308, or to a charity of your choice, in memory of Kenneth D. Smith.