Lester Gene Smith, 78, of Orient, passed away Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, at Grant Medical Center, Columbus.
He was born on July 2, 1937, in Mason County, West Virginia, to the late John R. and Fannie (Legg) Smith.
Gene retired from DuPont Paper Co. of Columbus after more than 35 years. He attended Ashville First Baptist Church and enjoyed going to the Pickaway Senior Center in Circleville.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mary Ann (Wortman), on Dec. 14, 2008; brothers, Randall and Sonny; sisters, Nellie, Virginia, Pearl, Doll and Edna.
He is survived by sons, Brian (Vicki) Smith of Ashville and Troy (Charlene) Smith of Orient; grandchildren, Amy (Joel) Craig of Reynoldsburg, Amber (Donnie) Hinson of Orient and Kyle Smith (fiancée Kayla Mayhugh) of Williamsport; two great-grandchildren, Alex and Henry Craig; sister, Carolyn (Allen) Nance of Columbus; sister-in-law, Linda Smith of Columbus; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at the Oliver-Cheek Funeral Home, 420 W. Main St., Ashville, with a service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2016, with Pastor Mike Southerland officiating. Interment will follow in Concord Cemetery, Grove City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pickaway Senior Center, 2105 Chickasaw Dr., Circleville, OH 43113.
The family would like to thank Scioto and Harrison Twps. EMS as well as Grant Medical Center for doing everything they could to care for their father.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
