Donald Smith

VAN WERT, Ohio - Donald A. Smith, 80, of Van Wert, died at 2:22 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at Van Wert County Hospital.

He was born Feb. 3, 1931, in Van Wert County, Ohio, to the late Ruth (Greenawalt) Smith and Homer A. Smith. His wife, Wauneta A. (Weldy) Smith, survives of Van Wert. They were married April 7, 1953, in Fairbanks, Alaska. They were married 58 years.

Other survivors include three brothers: Robert (Connie) Smith and Dean (Pat) Smith, both of Convoy, Ohio, and Dale Smith of Van Wert, Ohio, and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by three brothers: Richard, Fred and Kenneth Smith.

He was a member of Trinity Friends Church, Van Wert. He retired as a truck driver with over 30 years of service with Transport Motors, Dohrn, Halls and Dundee companies. He was a veteran of the Korean War, stationed Fairbanks, Alaska: Ladd Air Force Base, 274th Army Field Battalion. He was a life member of Convoy American Legion Post 208. Donald had driven The Alaskan Highway. He was a 1950 graduate of Wren High School.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9 at Trinity Friends Church, Van Wert. The Rev. Steve Savage will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Military graveside services will be conducted by combined units of the Van Wert American Legion and VFW Posts. Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 9 at the church.

Preferred memorials are Trinity Friends Church or St. Jude's Children Hospital or donor's choice.

Arrangements were handled by Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert.