Larry D. Smith, 65, Galion, passed away 19 months after his heart transplant on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Galion Community Hospital, Galion.
Larry was born in Detroit, MI on October 20, 1952 to the late Frank and Evelyn J. (Jones) Smith. He married Jacqueline Betti on September, 14, 1976 and she survives him.
Larry received a heart transplant on June 21, 2016. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Galion. Larry and Jackie owned Express Printing in Galion for 17 years. He retired from Arcelor Mittal Tubular Products, (Tuby) as a crane operator. Larry loved acting and directing. He was involved with Galion Community Theatre, Bucyrus Little Theatre, Mansfield Playhouse, and Crawford Theatre Company. Larry had a talent agency and was in the movies Shawshank Redemption, Redemption Ride, and Dog Eat Dog. Larry loved volunteering his time at Brownella Cottage portraying Bishop Brown. Larry enjoyed dancing, loved rock n roll music, playing poker and playing words with his friends online. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Larry and Jackie liked to go listen to the Back on Earth Band. He loved going to Camp Susanna in Pennsylvania and enjoyed trips to the beach. Larry was a 1970 graduate of Shelby Senior High School.
In addition to his wife Jacqueline he is survived by his dog Shelby; brother, Tommy and Terri Smith, Shelby; sister, Sheila and Alan Biglin, Shelby; sister-in-law, Donna Smith, Orrville; mother-in-law, Phyllis Betti; sisters-in-law, Irene Morris, Galion, Terry Betti-Parker, Mt. Gilead, Lorrie Treisch, Mt. Gilead; nephews and nieces, Steve Smith, Jr., Tampa, FL, Rocky Smith, Orrville, Kelly and Dave Lincoln, Bowling Green, Jennifer and Matt Giampietro, Mansfield, Ashley Smith, Shelby, Bailey Smith, Shelby, Miranda and Perry James, Wadsworth, Tessa and Chris Graham, Hilliard, Stacy Biglin, Akron, Chris Morris, Crestline, Adam Parker, Lexington, William Parker, Mt. Gilead, Gina and Martin Fife, Galion, LeAnn Treisch, Lexington; eleven great- nephews; ten great-nieces; a baby great-niece on the way, and Larry’s best friends, Danny and Nancy Cains, Roger and Terri Manns, and Don Bird.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Steve Smith and father-in-law, Vando William “Bill” Betti.
Friends may call Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 303 Portland Way North, Galion where a Vigil Service will be held at 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Galion, with Fr. Paul Fahrbach Celebrant. Burial will be in Rivercliff Cemetery, Mt. Gilead at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Steven H. Smith Scholarship Fund, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Heart Foundation or donor’s choice in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at masfh.com.