Joseph ”joe” C. Smith

Joseph C. “Joe” Smith, age 92, of New Philadelphia – passed away peacefully Thursday, April 7, 2011 from the home of his son and daughter-in-law where he was well cared for in the twilight of his life.Born here September 14, 1918, Joe was a son of the late Joseph and Ada Viola Kappler Smith. A 1938 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, Joe was always proud to have played halfback for two years under the director of the legendary Woody Hayes. While still a high school student, Joe caught the eye of the former M. Evelyn Parson. She sold tickets at the Tuscora Park Skating Rink – and the two fell in love, and married May 23, 1941 in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Together – they observed sixty-eight years of marriage before her death January 31, 2010. As newlyweds, Joe and Evelyn set up housekeeping in an apartment above the former Smith Hatchery (located on the site of the present AAA in New Philadelphia) and helped operate the family business, hatching as many as 10, 000 chicks a week. The United States entered World War II, and Joe was drafted into the Army in 1942 serving in the European Theatre until March 1945. He returned to New Philadelphia and went to work at Westinghouse in Canton and then with Warner and Swasey. At about the same time, Joe operated Bowman’s Archery Shop, as well as the former Smith Signs & Printing Company. Archery was more than a job for Joe – it was a joy – as he was a charter member of the Broken Arrow Archery Club. His hobbies and interests spanned the spectrum from bow hunting to golf, painting and duck carving to serving as the neighborhood handyman. He was also responsible for the formation of the Ohio Decoy Carvers & Collectors Association. Joe will be best remembered for his twenty-two year career as damkeeper and project superintendent for the Army Corps of Engineers at Clendening Lake until 1967, and then Beach City until his retirement in 1983. Joe was known for his meticulous attention to the facilities at both projects, and for his cheerful grin when he and Evelyn were referred to as the “Dam Smiths”. He always had Werther candies in his pocket to give to anyone he talked with also. Once retired, Joe and Evelyn returned to New Philadelphia where they continued to worship at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church where Joe was a lifelong member. They were also active with its Martin Luther Sunday School Class. Additionally, Joe was a life member of the VFW post 1445 and the Disabled American Veterans. Joe is now re-united to dance the heavens with the love of his life, Evelyn Parson Smith. Together – their sixty-eight years of marriage produced a son, Chris (wife, Marsha) Smith of New Philadelphia, who cared for Joe and Evelyn from their home.He’ll be sadly missed by two grandchildren; Jason (wife, Jaime) Smith of Brewster, Krisha (husband, Steve) Schupp of Gnadenhutten. A brother; Robert D. (wife, Jean) Smith of New Philadelphia, two great-grandchildren; Makayla and Hannah Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews complete the family. Friends are invited to call Sunday, April 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Rev. Stephen L. Patrick will lead Mr. Smith’s funeral ceremony Monday, April 11 at 10:30 a.m. in Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Evergreen Burial Park where Joe will be laid to rest alongside his beloved Evelyn. Following the committal service, family and friends will gather for a reception in the church fellowship hall. The Smith family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Martin Luther Class at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 202 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, in gratitude for the exemplary care, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.