Dewey Edwin Smith shuffled off this mortal coil on April 13, 2023 at the age of 76 years old. He was born on October 4, 1946 to Howard F. Smith and Nancy E. (Williams) Smith. Both parents preceded him in death.

Dewey graduated from high school in Franklin, Ohio and from college in Dayton where he earned an associates degree in accounting while working full time at Commercial Motor Freight. After college he enlisted in the army in 1966 for training in the infantry and heavy weapons. He then trained to become a paratrooper prior to being assigned to Vietnam and serving there for three years. After coming back to the USA, he was in the Army Reserves until receiving an honorable discharge in 1972. After returning home from Vietnam, he returned to work at Commercial Motor Freight in Dayton and then transferred to their Lima location. He worked for them in supervision for 21 years. From there, he went to Metacote Corporation, Lima where he worked in supervision and other capacities for 19 years. From there, he went to Securitas, Lima and worked in security for two years and then hauled camper trailers from Indiana all over the USA and Canada for two years before retiring.

Dewey was a life member of the 101st Airborne Division Association, an associate life member of the 550th Airborne Infantry Association, a benefactor life member of the NRA, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a life member recipient of The Static Line until it folded, a member of American Huey VHPA Chapter and a member of Lima Sabres Shooting Association.

Dewey’s greatest pleasures out of life were his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and coming in close 2nd would be is Harley Heritage and his 1967 Ford Mustang.

The best of times for Dewey were the many car / motorcycle road trips taken with his wife, children and the truck / motorcycle road trips taken with his grandchildren. These trips took place anywhere from Vermont, Grand Canyon in Arizona, Washington State and multiple points in between. He also enjoyed time spent with his family at the gun range target practicing and especially teaching the younger ones about firearms, their safe use and how to become proficient in the sport.

Dewey is survived by his lovely wife, Dianne, who must have had the patience of an angel to have put up with him for the many years that she did. He is also survived by his children, Michael (Traci) Smith of Lima, Cassandra (Jim) Croy of Rincon, GA, Tawauna Smith of Sanford, FL, Derek Smith of Panama City, FL, Michelle Guerrero of Panama City, FL, Eric (Connie) Kimmey of Elida and also Hao (Mai) Nguyen and Kim (Bac) Vu; sister, Ann Stephens AKA Ora of Middletown; niece, Nancy Ferguson; nephew, Bobby Leach and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Dewey is also survived by his grandchildren, Jasmin (Don) Guerrero-Bell, Heather (Nick) Garee, Joshua (Shoshannah) Smith, Chelsea (Nick) Rogers, Jesse Guerrero, Justus Guerrero, Alex Kimmey, Tieghan Horrison, Tristan Smith, Brianna Kimmey, Devon Smith, Tara Bowers, Cohlin Croy, Eric Kimmey Jr., Adalynn Croy, Corbin Croy, Emmerson Croy and Alyza Croy; great-grandchildren, Anastasha Vogel, Jonathan Bell, Greg Bell, Xayvier Guerrero, Lilyian Guerrero, Silas Garee, Clayton Guerrero, Willlow Garee, Journey Garee, David Guerrero, Zion Smith, Madilyn Rogers, Luna Guerrero, Asher Smith & Levi Guerrero.

Dewey is also leaving behind some very special friends in Tony and Kathy Joseph and their daughter, Devony, who has always seemed like a granddaughter to him. He will miss meeting with his fellow brothers in arms from the 101st Airborne every June at their annual company reunion.

Dewey was preceded in death, besides his parents, by his brothers-in-law, Howard Early and Hobart Stephens; father-in-law, Kenneth Lord; mother-in-law, Harriett Lord and two very special people that treated him just like family and whom he loved dearly, Ervin and Marjorie Dove.

Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at CHILES-LAMAN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES – EASTSIDE CHAPEL.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.