Paul Smith

He was born March 4, 1917 in Mansfield to Philip and Emma Schettler Smith, residing in the Mansfield area all of his life. Mr. Smith graduated with a BS in Education from Ashland University and a MA from The Ohio State University. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Post 16, where he served as Chaplain for a brief time.

Mr. Smith retired from the Madison School District after 40 years of service, having taught in several one-room schoolhouses and later serving as Principal at Grace Street School, Lincoln Heights Elementary and Eastview Elementary, where he was the first Principal. He bowled for several years with Madison Schools League and belonged to the Phi Delta Kappa honorary education fraternity. Mr. Smith was a former member of St. John's United Church of Christ where he forged many lifelong friendships. He later became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ontario where he sang in the church choir, performed in liturgical drama and served on the church council.

Many knew Mr. Smith as an accomplished tenor, having performed at area churches in addition to the Mastersingers, the Mansfield Choral Society and the Mansfield Symphony Chorus. He served as treasurer with the Mansfield Playhouse after their merger from the Little Theater and Community Players, and also performed on stage. His performances in Brigadoon, Carousel, The Fantasticks, Oklahoma and others will long be remembered. In his later years, Mr. Smith performed with the Mid-Ohio Concert Band both as vocalist and musician through age 84.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Lloyd and Sharon Smith of Shiloh; daughter, Kristen Smith of Shiloh; granddaughter, Michelle Patel of Bolton, England; great-granddaughter, Olivia Stage of Butler; brothers, Raymond Eve Smith of Bellefontaine, James Smith of Greenfield, Indiana; sister, Ruth Adamescu of Mansfield; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his stepfather, Oscar Spell, and wife, Mary C. Mahon Smith, whom he married October 19, 1941.

Friends may call at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors Sunday, March 2 from 2-6 p.m. Music will be provided by the Mid-Ohio Concert Band. Funeral services will be held Monday March 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Ronald Daley and Rev. Jerry Rhea presiding. Interment will be at Franklin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice, the American Legion Post 16 Scholarship Fund, the Department of Music at Ashland University or the Department of Education at The Ohio State University.