Fred W. Smith

Fred Smith of Dalton, Ohio, passed away on March 3, 2026, following several weeks of declining health. A lifelong resident of Dalton and devoted member of Pleasant View Mennonite Church, he graduated from Dalton High School in 1957. In October 1958, he married Viola Singer, and the couple shared more than 67 loving years together as husband and wife.

Fred was one of the first employees hired at Horst Manufacturing in 1963 and worked there for 45 years before retiring at age 65. Unready to slow down, he then spent nearly 20 years as a volunteer at MCC in Kidron, where he served as the go-to expert on all things electrical. He took great pride in his perfect attendance and was known throughout the area for his ability to revive any string of Christmas lights. In his earlier years, he enjoyed softball, bowling, traveling, and hunting.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Zada (Snurr) Smith, and his brother Jim Smith. Fred is survived by his wife, Vi; sons Jeff (Robin) Smith and Terry Smith; adopted daughter Lorraine (Don) Kirbawy; sister Karen Roberts and her daughter Annette; brother Ken Smith; and a large, loving family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended relatives, including the Nussbaum children, Tyler, Kendal, Jordan, and Morgan, whom he and Vi cherished as their own. He also leaves behind many dear friends from the “six get-together,” Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Sonnenberg Mennonite Church, Horst Manufacturing, and MCC, all of whom enriched his life in countless ways.

May his memory be a blessing.