Thomas Smitley

Thomas Smitley, 79, of New Philadelphia, died Sunday, January 15, 2006 in Amberwood Manor Nursing Home at New Philadelphia following a lengthy illness.A son of the late Phillip Robert and Thelma (Conley) Smitley, Thomas was born March 4, 1926 in Barnhill, Ohio.Thomas retired from a career in the United States Air Force where he attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. Following his career in the military, he was employed at Nickles Bakery, Cloverleaf Security and Resource Exploration, Inc.On September 27, 1948, he married the former Klara Machler in Munich, Germany and together they raised four children, Kathe, Klara, Thomas and Thelma.Thomas attended the Roxford United Methodist Church and was a member of the Midvale V.F.W. He was an avid camper in which he was a member of Harrison Hills Campground and was also an avid hunter and fisherman.He is survived by his wife, Klara Smitley, his children, Kathe (Joe) Lewis of Kearney, Missouri, Klara (Chuck) Beatty of Pataskala, Ohio, Thomas (Devonna) Smitley of Kansas City, Missouri and Thelma Siegenthaler of Dover; 11 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sisters, Marge Menapace of Dennison, Dorothy Waller of New Philadelphia, Libby (Jerry) Hahn of New Philadelphia, Neva Marsh of Dover and Shirley Richards of Florida; brothers, Clarence (Shirley) Smitley of New Philadelphia and Dan (Robin) Smitley of New Philadelphia; brother-in-law, Curtis “Houg” Walton of New Philadelphia; uncle, Clarence Smitley and many nieces and nephews.Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Betty, Mildred and Beatrice and one brother, Phillip.Family and friends may call in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Thomas’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 10 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with Rev. Henry Mooney officiating. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery in New Philadelphia. Following the services, a memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center in New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions may be made to the Roxford United Methodist Church, 771 Roxford Church Road SE, Dennison, OH 44621 and/or Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.