Kenneth C. Smith

Kenneth C. Smith of Columbiana died Friday at Hospice House after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage at his home earlier in the week. He was 86.

Mr. Smith was born in Fairfield Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, on Feb. 23, 1921, the son of William Carl and Anna Grace Smith. In his youth - much of which was spent in East Palestine - he was a fine athlete, playing baseball and running track. He continued to follow sports all his life and particularly loved to watch golf and baseball.

Mr. Smith lost both his parents by the time he was a young teenager, and he moved to Lisbon, Ohio, to live with his older brother, Neil. It was there, at Lisbon High School, that he met Nedra Stockman. The two married in 1943, moved to Columbiana and raised their four children there. When she died in August, 2006, they had been married 63 years.

Like his wife, Mr. Smith was loved by many people and treated them all as family. He was funny, smart and very active. Until days before his stroke, he drove, handled his personal affairs, followed politics and did the crossword puzzle. He was an avid reader, mostly of history. In earlier years, Mr. Smith was active in St. Jude Catholic Church and was still a member when he died. As a young father in town, he helped to start the Columbiana Little League program. Through the years, he worked at Franklin Furniture, Columbiana Middle School - as the custodian - and helped his brother, Neil, run the Sohio Station at the corner of Main and Salem Streets. Their regular customers called each of the brothers "Smitty."

Through his life, Mr. Smith battled many, many health challenges. As a young serviceman in the U.S.Navy, he was shot in the head during gunner's training and nearly died. But Mr. Smith had a stamina and a spirit - not to mention an angel on his shoulder - that kept him going. He suffered stroke, TB, aneurysms and, in recent years, cancer. But he took all of this with resolve, determination and his famous quick wit. Those who knew and loved him feel very lucky to have had him for this long.

He is survived by his four children and their families. Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Smith of Rocky Mount, N.C.; Tom Smith of Lakewood, Ca.; Kathy Laing of Venice, Fla.; and Emily and Marty Minor, of West Palm Beach, Fl.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nedra; a granddaughter, Anne McBride Smith; a son-in-law, James Laing, three brothers - Neil, Edward and Regis - and one sister, Mary Alley.

Also left to miss him are his grandchildren and their families: Catherine and William Kibbe; Tim Smith and Rebecca Smith, all of Raleigh, N.C.; Timothy Smith, who recently joined the U.S. Army, Betsy Smith, of Avon, Co.; Adam and Kenny Laing of Venice, Fla., and Ian Minor, of West Palm Beach, Fl. He also leaves two great-grandchildren, Anne Russell Kibbe and Will Kibbe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 14, 2008 at St. Jude Catholic Church, Columbiana. Burial will follow in Columbiana Cemetery. Friends may call at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Boardman, OH 44512.