Frederick W. “Fred” Smith, 91, passed away Friday afternoon, July 24, 2026, at his home in rural Van Wert.

He was born on July 2, 1935, in West Unity, Ohio the son of the late Dale Millard and Rachel Hope (Beek) Smith. On June 12, 1954, in Fort Jennings, Ohio he married the former Clarabelle May (Furrell) Smith and they enjoyed 72 years of marriage.

Family members include his four children, Valerie A. (Douglas) Martin of Arizona, Stewart L. Smith of Van Wert, Laura Jean (Steve) Ehlers of Hayward, Wisconsin, and Julie Lynette (Curtis) Overholt of Van Wert; nine grandchildren, Ashley (Evans) Smith Conforti, Justin Smith, Sarah (Brendan) Lopshire-Barth, Rachel Magowan (Gavin Bates), Jennifer (Chris) Bolenbaugh, Victoria Klausing, Tyler (Kristin) Overholt, Joshua (Melissa) Overholt, Christian Martin, Celeste Martin; eight great grandchildren, Taevin Darnell, Ivy Lynn Harris, Ella Harris, Connor Conforti, Everly Conforti, Oliver Bolenbaugh, Axton C. Bolenbaugh and Clarabelle Barth; nephews, Bruce (Donna) Smith of Idaho, Jeff Grandstaff of Van Wert and Frank (Brenda) Smith, Jr., of Van Wert; and nieces, Pam Chance of Cape Cora, Florida, Peggy Chance of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Arnell Adam of Convoy.

Fred was a 1953 graduate of Van Wert High School and was a member of Calvary Evangelical Church. He had worked for Chrysler Amplex and retired from GKM Sinter Metals in 1997. He enjoyed woodworking and was a master carpenter. Fred was very proud that he had remodeled and built over a dozen homes for his family over the years.

Besides his parents, Fred was preceded in death by grandson, Noel William Martin; four brothers, Franklin D. Smith, Eugene M. Smith, Lyle M. Smith and Dale L. Smith and two sisters, Ima Rebecca Ann Putman and Iris H. Smith.

Funeral services for Fred will be at Cowan & Son Funeral Home of Van Wert on Wednesday August 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. There will be visitation for family and friends on Wednesday from Noon to 3:00 p.m. Interment will take place I. O. O. F. Cemetery of Convoy, Ohio.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.