Clement C. Smith

Clement Clarence Smith, a.k.a "Clem" or "Smitty", age 99 years, died peacefully at home from old age on September 13, 2015 just after tucking into bed. He was born at home on July 3, 1916, (although the doctor wrote July 2") in Akron, Ohio. As a boy, his parents bought a farm in Randolph, Ohio, where he spent his memorable childhood years. He served as an altar boy and cross-bearer at St. Joseph's Parish. Through his church, he met his beloved Alice (Paulus). Clem graduated from Randolph High School in 1935. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served stateside as a Naval Petty Officer in the Lighter-Than-Air (blimp) division. He married his beloved Alice on June 24, 1944, and returned to Akron after the war. Clem and Alice raised five children together. He was an active member of St. Matthew's Church, and active in the Legion of Mary, the Holy Name Society, and a Eucharistic Minister. Clem was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. He obtained the rank of 4th Degree, and served for 78 years, becoming one of the oldest Knights in the country. Clem worked as a Senior Machine Designer for The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He retired from Goodyear in 1981 after 37 years, and received many awards and patents. Extended family was always an important part of life for Clem, as evidenced by large family reunions and abundant written correspondence. In 2005, Clem and Alice relocated to their youngest daughter's home in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to live out their twilight years together. They joined St. Vincent de Paul Parish. In 2009, six weeks after celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary, and one week after attending their oldest granddaughter's wedding, Alice died unexpectedly. Clem lived on as a prayer warrior to his last, faithfully attended Mass, and prayed the Rosary daily. He was known as a gentleman, a storyteller, and a patient listener. In our family, Clem closes his generation that struggled through the Depression and the Great War. He firmly believed in God's peace and lived in that joy. His firm faith, sparkling eyes, easy smile and gentle kindness will serve as enduring examples for his family and many friends.
Clem is survived by daughter Elaine (Jerry) Klein of Notre Dame, IN; sons William Clement (Peggy) of Akron, OH, and Joseph (David Eicher) of South Bend, IN; and daughters Rose (Tim) Bennett of Akron, OH, and Lori (Joe) Mlakar of Fort Wayne, IN. His memory will also be cherished by his 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his beloved wife Alice; his unborn children, Danny Jim and Rita Irene; his great-granddaughter, Ariana; his sisters (and their husbands), Beatrice, Mildred (Charles) Stith, and Marsene (George) Dyer; and his parents, Clarence (Ertle) and Rosina (Oakes) Smith. Visiting hours will begin on Thursday, September 17th, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m with a Rosary service at 6;00 pm at D. 0. McComb & Sons, Pine Valley, 1302 East Dupont Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Mass of Resurrection will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 18th
with calling 1hr prior to service, at St. Vincent's de Paul Catholic Church,
1502 East Wallen Rd., Fort Wayne. Additonal visiting hours will be held on
Saturday, September 19th, from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Randolph Church/Grotto, 2643 Waterloo Road, Mogadore, Ohio 44260, services will follow the calling hours at 10:00 am. Following the burial, additional visitation will resume at the Knights of Columbus Hall next to the church. Memorial gifts are requested to be given to the Catholic War Veterans and the Knights of Columbus.