John W. Smitley

John Wilson Smitley, age 65 of Dover, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at his residence.

A son of the late George W. and Bessie L. (Horner) Smitley, John was born in Union Hospital at Dover on February 1, 1949.

He was a 1969 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and in his younger years, mowed lawns and cleaned snow for numerous families throughout the community. For the past 25 plus years, he has been employed by the Tuscarawas County Y.M.C.A where he enjoyed his work as a maintenance man for the facility.

John enjoyed bowling, walking, working jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, and being with his family during special events and holidays and spending time with his nieces and nephew. He was a fan of the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians, enjoyed talking to anyone he met and especially enjoyed sharing time with various residents at Seton Square.

He is survived by a brother George (Shirley) Smitley of Bolivar; a sister-in-law, Karen Smitley; a nephew, Eric Smitley; two nieces, Phyllis Smitley all of New Philadelphia and Linda Smitley of Bolivar; three great nieces, Kaitlyn Noviski, Lexi Potts, and Zoey King, and a great-nephew, Dax King.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Smitley, and a niece Trisha Pope.

The family will greet guests on Friday, April 4, 2014 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Rev. Hugh B. Berry will lead a service celebrating John’s life at 7:00 PM. Private burial will take place in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.

Memorial contributions in John’s name may be directed to the Tuscarawas County Y.M.C.A, 600 Monroe Street, Dover, Ohio 44622.