Howard James "Smitty" Smith

January 2, 2014 About Us Submit Subscribe Advertise E-Edition Contact Us Buy and view photos Delphos Herald Home News Sports Opinion For the Record Classifieds Lifestyles Forms Events Subscriber Login Username Password Remember Me Forgot your password? Forgot your username? Most Popular a€¢ Let's discuss politics a€¢ Massillon freshman QB already commits to OSU a€¢ This and That - Cuyahoga Valley National Park a€¢ More Canal Stories a€¢ This and That-Home on a canal boat Howard James Smith PDF Print Monday, December 30, 2013 9:00 PM June 18, 1926 Dec. 30, 2013 Howard James Smith Howard James Smith Howard James "Smitty the Cop" Smith, 87, of Delphos died at 10 a.m. Monday at Van Wert Manor. He was born June 18, 1926, in Jenera to Oliver H. Smith and Mary R. (Smith) Hole, who preceded him in death. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Weaver on July 25, 1945. She preceded him in death on June 6, 2008. He is survived by two sons, Howard J. Smith Jr. of Gomer and David M. Smith of Delphos; two daughters, Susan J. (Larry) Basinger of Delphos and Dorothy J. (Rick) Lockhart of Columbus; seven sisters, Sally Bohn of Defiance, Isabel Kramer of Fort Jennings, Shirley Perrin of Ossian, Ind., Nancy Rayle of St. Joe, Ind., Mary (Bob) Sailer of Hicksville, Virginia (Larry) Clark of Lima and Kathy (Kurt) Martin of Delphos; five brothers, Don (Donna) Smith of Lima, Oliver (Marilyn) Smith of Ada, Jack (Bonnie) Smith of Ossian, Ind., Thomas (Marlene) Smith of Augusta, Ga., and John (Deb) Smith of Mendon; and 14 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a son, John Smith; a daughter, Sheryl L. Campbell; and a sister, Carol King. He worked for the Delphos Police Department from 1964-81 and also retired in 1981 as General Inspector from Lima Loco/Clark Equipment Works. Howard then retired as Chief of Police of Marion Township in June of 1991. He also worked at the Allen County Sheriff's Department as a sheriff. He was a WWII US Army veteran in the Third Army 95 Infantry, 377 Regiment, from August 1944-1946, where he led two major battle companies: Rineland and Central Europe. He earned two major battle stars, a combat badge and a bronze star medal. He was a life member of NRA, VFW Post #3035, Amercian Legion #268, Peri and Eagles #471. He was also a member of the Black Swamp Rifle and Pistol Club in Delphos and Buckeye Sheriff Association. He loved tent camping with his children. He enjoyed target shooting, feeding birds and squirrels and sitting on his porch greeting people. Smitty was a people person and truly enjoyed his time as a police office for the City of Delphos. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Harter and Schier Funeral Home, the Rev. Pam King officiating. The Delphos Veterans Council will conduct military graveside rites following the service. Burial will take place at Walnut Grove Cemetery. Visitation will begin from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Harter and Schier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

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