Ralph L. Smith Sr., who was better known as Butch by family and close friends, 73, of Wittenberg, died on Tuesday, July 9, 2013. Born on Oct. 28, 1939, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, he is the son of the late Ralph B. and Ruth M. (Fowler) Smith. Ralph graduated from Gambier High School in Gambier, Ohio. He attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts as well as the Kenyon College in Gambier and was in the Army Reserves. On Oct. 30, 1970, in Brandon, Ohio, Ralph and Anna K. Steinhauer were happily united in marriage. Ralph was a lifelong farmer. He was very proud of his dairy herd and honored to have his family continue his Registered Holstein dairy operation. Family was always at the top of Ralph’s list; he enjoyed cookouts as well as visiting family and friends on or near the Ohio homestead. Ralph was a deer hunter and an avid sports fan, following the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Green Bay Packers. He especially enjoyed watching his son and grandson play high school football. Ralph is survived by his wife, Anna; his children, Ralph (LouAnn) Smith Jr., of Wittenberg, Jennifer (Daniel) Cook, of Wittenberg, Laura (Lee) Slater, of Birnamwood; four grandchildren, Nathan and Megan Smith, and Carley and Brandon Slater. He is further survived by his siblings, George Smith, Kathryn Smith and Barbara Butler, all of Mount Vernon, Ohio, Sandra (Tom) Williams, of Tiffin, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Karen Steinhauer, of Mattoon; three stepgrandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2013, at the Elias Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dennis Creswell officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to LeRoyer Hospice, 112 E. Fifth Ave., Antigo, WI 54409, Elias Lutheran Church or the Hopewell United Methodist Church in care of Barbara Butler, 18301 Hopewell Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the caring staff at the LeRoyer Hospice for the exceptional care given to Ralph.
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