Ronald E. Smith

Youngstown - Ronald E. Smith, 83, of Youngstown, died Monday, January 14, 2008 at Park Vista Retirement Community. Ron was born February 19, 1924 in New Middletown, Ohio, a son of Ezra and Laura Goldner Smith. A graduate of Springfield Local High School, Ron worked in the property protection department at Youngstown Sheet and Tube until retirement. After retiring, he worked for security at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Ron was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of New Middletown and attended Poland Presbyterian Church. Ron loved music and played the keyboard and saxophone in a band, both in his earlier years and more recently in retirement homes and nursing homes. He also was a magician and belonged to a magician's club. His wife, the former Laura Baker, whom he married January 7, 1951, died November 10, 2007. He leaves his daughter, Vicki Watson of Columbus; two granddaughters, Meredith and Madeline Watson, also of Columbus; a cousin, Dorothy Keast of North Lima; three nieces, Shirley Drajic of New Middletown, Kathy (Don) Reash and Connie (Dennis) Higbee, both of Columbiana; two great-nephews, Kevin Llewellyn of Los Angeles, CA and Thomas Higbee, both of Columbiana; two great-nieces, Kristen Llewellyn and Vicki Higbee, also of Columbiana; two brothers-in-law, James (Helen) Baker of Youngstown and John Barrow of Columbiana; and dear friends, Joe and Gladys Kraynak of Poland, Don and Sally Evans, and Bud and Judy Gallatin, all of New Middletown. Besides his parents and wife, Ron was preceded in death by three brothers, Clarence, Paul, and Willis Smith. Private funeral services will be held at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland with Rev. Allan Hutchison officiating. Interment will follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, New Middletown. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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