Richard F. Smith

Richard F. Smith, 92, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away Saturday, June 19, 2010, at the Green Hills Retirement Community in West Liberty, Ohio. He was born August 6, 1917, in Dayton, Ohio, a son of the late Otto F. and Jeanette M. Ungricht Smith.

On September 10, 1938, he married the former Emma Belle Joslin in the First Lutheran Church in Bellefontaine, and she survives, along with a son, R. Michael �Mike� (Katie) Smith of Sarasota, Florida; daughters, Ruth Ellen �Cookie� Townsend of Marblehead, Ohio and Kathy L. (Charles) Yule of Bellefontaine; four grandchildren, Laurie Rosenberg, Todd (Amy) Henry, Christopher (Marcie) Smith and Steven (Erin) Henry; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sisters, Marjorie Radke and Kate Boles, and a son-in-law, Richard Townsend.

A 1935 Bellefontaine High School graduate, he was a United States Navy veteran who served in World War II. He owned and operated the Insurance Center in Bellefontaine and was a member of the First Lutheran Church, where he was a past president of the church council and past president of New Life Charitable Foundation.

He was a member of the Bellefontaine Rotary Club and received its Paul Harris Fellow Award. He also was a 60-year member of the Bellefontaine Masonic Lodge # 209, where he served as Past Master. Richard always put his family first, was proud of his Navy experiences, was an avid Ohio State fan and enjoyed photography.

Pastor Jonathon Bull conducts the funeral service at 11 A.M. Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at the First Lutheran Church in Bellefontaine, where calling is one hour prior to the service and from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine. A Masonic service is at 7:45 P.M. Tuesday. Burial is in the Philadelphia Cemetery, where the Logan County Honor Guard will conduct a military service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Life Charitable Foundation  First Lutheran Church  208 W. Sandusky Ave. Bellefontaine, 43311