Mark Smith

Mark D. Smith, 68, of Belle Center, Ohio, formerly of Mount Blanchard, passed away Friday, October 2, 2009, in Galion Community Hospital. He was born on March 23, 1941, the son of the late Ralph and Violet (Cowan) Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon D. (Putnam) Smith, whom he married on June 10, 1962 in Hardin County Ohio. He is also survived by his daughter, Gayle (David) Book of Forest, Ohio, his son, Steve (Paula) Smith of Holland, Ohio, and his six grandchildren, Evan, Tyler, Ben, and Daniel Book and Isabelle and Logan Smith. Also surviving are two nephews, Keith (Cheri) Barnes and Jeff (Maria) Barnes, and great nieces and nephews, Seth, Allison, Jeffrey, and Erika.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Janis Barnes and Peggy J. Smith.

He graduated from McGuffey High School in 1959, from Findlay College in 1963, and then from Bowling Green State University in 1968. Beginning in 1963, he worked as a teacher and coach at Riverdale High School for nineteen years, then in administration at Hardin Northern and Vanlue school districts before retiring in 1993. During the summer months of the mid seventies, he and his family were employed as permanent staff at the 4-H Camp in Utica, Ohio. He and Sharon enjoyed wintering in Florida from 1996 - 2006. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he was a member of the choir. He was an avid bass fisherman and had won many tournaments. He was a true outdoorsman, respecting and appreciating all of God's creation. As a sports enthusiast he was a faithful Cleveland Indians fan since 1953 and also rooted for the Cleveland Browns, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Riverdale Falcons.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, in the Preston Cemetery in Alger, Ohio. A memorial service will also be held on Wednesday at 12:30 P.M. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Bellefontaine, with Pastor Jeffory Willetts officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, and for one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. Contributions may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund 1140 Rush Ave Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311

Online condolences to the family may be expressed from www.eichholtzfuneralhome.com

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