Francis Eugene "Gene" Smith

A memorial service celebrating the life of Francis Eugene Gene Smith, age 86, of Newark, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 11, at Grace Lutheran Church, 65 East Columbus Street in Thornville with Pastor Orrey McFarland officiating. A private graveside service was held at Lutheran Reformed Cemetery where military honors were observed.Gene passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at his home. He was born January 18, 1931 in Glenford, Ohio to the late Francis Homer and Thelma Bessie (Ridenour) Smith. The family lived in Glenford until 1943 when they moved to Thornville.Gene was a 1950 graduate of Thornville High School.Gene was a 1950 graduate of Thornville High School. A veteran of the United States Army, Gene served from 1951-53 and was stationed in Bamburg, Germany during that time. Gene retired in 1990 from Owens Corning Fiberglas where he had been employed for 40 years. He had a strong work ethic and seldom missed work during those 40 years. An avid OSU fan, Gene also enjoyed ceramics, painting and woodworking. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church for many years where he sang in the church choir and with the group Men of Grace and also played in the bell choir. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley A. (Winfrey) Smith, whom he married August 19, 1956; and by three daughters, Rebecca Kauffman of Westerville, Cynthia (Mark Stockwell) Smith of Sunbury and Linda (Duane) Knight of Chillicothe; three grandchildren, Alyssa Kauffman of Columbus, Jordan Oliver (fiance, Jess Cunningham) of Delaware and Leah Oliver of Perrysburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 284, Thornville, OH 43076 or to the Foundation for Hospice of Central Ohio, P.O. Box 430, Newark, OH 43058. Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service in Thornville is honored to care for Gene and the Smith family.