Phyllis J. Smith, 88, of Fremont, OH passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at ProMedica Memorial Hospital. She was born November 3, 1927 in Fremont, the daughter of Phillip and Hazel (Strawman) Billow. She was a 1945 graduate of Fremont Ross High School.
Phyllis married Gerard Smith on June 21, 1947 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fremont and he survives. She worked as a Secretary at Fremont Ross High School from 1945 to 1946 and as a Secretary at Toledo Edison from 1946 to 1948. Phyllis then worked as a Zoning Inspector for Riley Township for twenty-five years.
Phyllis was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and Altar Guild. She was Past President and member of the Riley Garden Club, Riley Reapers Farm Women’s Club and President and Secretary of Sandusky County Federation of Farm Women. Phyllis was a Riley Buckeyes 4-H Advisor and Past President of Riley Mother’s Club. She loved to make soup and elderberry pies.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years, Gerard Smith, Fremont; children, William (Peg) Smith, Fremont, Rick (Luella) Smith, Perrysburg, Linda (Kevin) Nitschke, Lake Havasu City, AZ; sisters, Beverly Kimball and Sandra (Jerry) Hyde, Fremont; grandchildren, Annette (Mark) Fisher, Derek Smith, Ryan (Heidi) Smith and Erin (Kevin) Vile; great grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Noah, Ethan, Ryleigh, Lucas, Jake, Alayna, Brenden and Samuel.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family would like to give a special “Thank You” to the staff at Elmwood Assisted Living for their care.
Visitation: Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E . State St., Fremont, OH.
Service: Monday, July 18, 2016: 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 902 E. State St., Fremont, OH with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Scott Mauch will be officiating.
Burial: Schoch Cemetery, Riley Township
Memorials: St. Mark Lutheran Church
Online Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.whhfh.com
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Marty Kerns
Losing a loved one is never easy no matter the circumstances. She will be surely missed. My thoughts and prayers will be with the family over the days and weeks ahead.
Mary Jane Perry Gibson
I am sorry to read about Phyllis’s death. She was a wonderful “Rileyite.” She was always involved in many community activities, and she was so proud of her family. My sympathy to Gerard (our mom Jane Wright Perry) taught him in taught him in a one-room Riley Township School), and we all knew the kids as we grew up. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Mary Jane Perry Gibson
MARSHA BRADNER
Carolyn Hamilton and family wish to express our sympathy for your loss. Phyllis and Carolyn were long time friends that were separated when Carolyn moved to south Texas several years ago. They recently were reunited when we moved Carolyn (my mom) into Elmwood Assisted living. Mom lit up when she found her former friend there and Phyllis made her transition so much easier. She will be greatly missed. Condolences to Gerard and the entire family.
Shelley Gahn
Dear Rick and Luella and family,
Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your mother. It’s so hard to say goodbye. Your mother certainly lived an active life and made the most of her time here. She made a difference, and that’s what all of us hope to do. I know you’ll miss her.
Shelley Gahn
Sr. Janet Marie Smith
What a surprise to hear of her passing! That is a great picture of her! Know you are in my prayers!
Re (Bonnell) Chamberlin
Rick and Luella
So very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
May god bless you.
Eleanor Gibbs and family
Gerard and family,
Mom says she enjoyed send time with you mother and father and she will be missed in Riley.
As we are sitting here she has a lot of stories and good memories.