Martha M. Smith was welcomed to her Heavenly home on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
Martha was born on May 2, 1921, to the late Charles and Camilla (Yaussy) Kocher. She was a 1939 graduate of Holmes-Liberty High School and was the last remaining member of her graduating class. On May 17, 1942, she married Warren E. Smith.
Martha was a hardworking, loving wife and mother who enjoyed giving her time to others. Along with Warren, they were longtime farmers and Angus Cattle owner/breeders. Warren and Martha received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Angus Association and the Distinguished Award from the Crawford County Cattlemen’s Association.
Martha had an incredibly strong personal relationship with Jesus. Martha was one of the founding persons in the forming of Calvary Baptist Church and Wayside Chapel, where she was a very active member.
Martha is survived by seven children, Richard (Marjorie) Smith of Bucyrus, Kathleen (Hugh M.) Atwell of Burleson, Texas, Earl (Joan) Smith of Bucyrus, Jane (Mike) Korner of Bucyrus, Roger (Susan) Smith of Columbia, N.C., Glenn (Molly) Smith of Ashland, Ohio, and Carol (Gary) Hutchinson of Hebron, Ohio; 37 grandchildren and spouses; 52 great-grandchildren and spouses; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Mary Kocher.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren; brother Harold Kocher and wife, Ruth, brother Wayne Kocher, sister Persis Ritzhaupt and husband Guy; granddaughter Beth (Groves) Korner; and great-granddaughter Grace Harris-Nichols.
Due to family illness, a private graveside funeral will take place in Campbell Cemetery and a public celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made payable to Wayside Christian School or Gideons International and given through the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be left on Martha’s tribute page at wisefuneral.com.