Madeline E. Smith

Madeline A. Smith, age 77 of Bolivar, died Monday, January 31, 2011, in Aultman Hospital at Canton following a period of declining health.A daughter of the late Lee A. and Bessie V. Moore Taylor, Madeline was born at Akron, Ohio on September 4, 1933.She was a 1951 graduate of Tallmadge High School, and soon thereafter met a young man named Donzel Smith. As fate would have it, Donzel was leaving for the U.S. Army the same day Madeline was at the local bus station sending her own brother off to the U.S. Marine Corps. They took a liking to one another and kept in touch though a series of letters and phone calls. Following Donzel’s basic training the couple married on June 14, 1952. Madeline waited patiently for the return of her new groom as he was assigned to a tour of duty in Korea. Following his return the couple began a family which reared five children and shared in 58 years of marriage.It was Madeline’s passion in life to care for and ensure her family was properly taken care of. She enjoyed living from the land while raising her children on the family farm. She made sure every crop of beans and Strawberry picked were preserved and set in the pantry for the upcoming winter. She also enjoyed helping with the daily chores of the farm and spending time in the family’s vegetable garden.When it came time for the arrival of a new grandchild, Madeline was sure to have a crocheted receiving blanket ready for the little ones of her family. She also put her love of crocheting to use in other ways and gifted many of her carefully crafted pieces to family and friends through the years.”Family first”: is a motto Madeline lived by. Always making sure she was there for her grandchildren she attended as many sporting events and activities as she possible could.In addition to her husband Donzel, Madeline leaves behind five loving children; two daughters, Peggy McCollugh of Dover and Donna Killeen of Bolivar; three sons, Bart Smith, Troy (Janet) Smith also all of Bolivar and Alan (Angela) Smith of Atwood Lake; a sister, Mary O’Neil of Tallmadge, Ohio; and a former daughter-in-law, Glenda Smith of Canton . 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren complete the family.In addition to her parents, Madeline was preceded in death by a brother, Lee Taylor.In keeping with Madeline’s wishes her body has been cremated through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory at Dover. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 5, 2011, from 1:00 â?? 3:00 p.m. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. Pastor Floyd Stanfill will lead a memorial service celebrating Madeline’s life in the Dover Funeral Center at 3:00 p.m. Memorial Contributions in Madeline’s name may be directed to the Kidney Foundation of Ohio, 2831 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.