Naomi Ruth Kreachbaum

Naomi Ruth (Smith) Kreachbaum, age 95, of Mount Gilead, formerly of Newark, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2022 at Marion General Hospital. Naomi was born November 15, 1926 in Canal Winchester, Ohio to the late Charles Forrest and Ruth Alma (Barringer) Smith.

Naomi graduated from Amanda Clear Creek High School in the class of 1944. She then moved to Columbus and worked for the Ohio Bell Telephone Company.

Naomi married her best friend and love of her life, Charles W. Kreachbaum, on August 30, 1947. They shared over 60 years together, raised two children, and babysat many more. Charles preceded her in death on July 4, 2008. In 2009, Naomi sold their country home and moved to Morrow County to be near their daughter.

Naomi’s church was an important part of her life. She and her husband were members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church near Newark and she later attended Fulton United Methodist Church in Fulton until it closed. She then attended Center United Methodist Church in Cardington. Naomi lived in the Fulton community until 2018 when she went to live with her daughter and son-in-law.

Naomi is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Joelyn and John Lanning of Mount Gilead; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; Elmer and Mary’s kids, Alice and Joe’s family, and many friends.

In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, she was preceded in death by a son and daughter-in-law, Michael E. and Catherine Kreachbaum; brother, Charles E. Smith; and sister, Lorna (Smith) McKibben.

The family will observe a private memorial and a celebration of Naomi’s life will be held at a later date. Naomi will be laid to rest with her husband at Maple Grove Cemetery in Mount Gilead.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 2569 Mount Vernon Road, Newark, OH 43055 or to Center United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 213, Cardington, OH 43315.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Naomi and her family.