Leo Frederick Smith, 86, of Tiffin, passed away on Tuesday morning, April 25, 2017 at his home after a long illness and surrounded by his family.

He was born on his family farm on South State Route 53 on February 19, 1931, to Louis J. and Frances Arbogast Smith.  He married Elizabeth A. Zoll on April 21, 1956, by Rev. James Steinle in St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Rev. Steinle last year presided over the renewal of their 60th anniversary vows.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of Tiffin; seven children, Thomas (Esme) Smith, of Arnold, MD, Deb (Lynn) Smith of Temperance, MI, Edward (Patty) Smith, Jude (Alan) Overmyer, Gin (Joe) Turner, Chris (Janie) Smith and Donna (Cary) Theis, all of Tiffin; 13 grandchildren, Jordan, Taylor and Logan Smith of Arnold, MD, Josh (Amber) Smith of Findlay, Sarah Smith of Lakewood, Austin Overmyer of Fremont, Lindsay Overmyer of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jake (Kathryn) Turner of Cleveland, 1st Lt. Chase (Samantha) Turner of Camp Lejeune, N.C., Ohio Highway Patrol Trooper Kyle (Kendra) Shearer of McCutchenville, Keith (Val) Shearer of Parma Heights, Kara and Nick Theis of Tiffin; three great-grandchildren, Kannon, Kace and Karley Shearer of McCutchenville; and two sisters, Rose Mary Widman and Catherine Tiell, both of Tiffin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Clarence Smith, Rita King, Richard Smith, Dorothy Frankart, Marjorie Adams, Helen Hammer, Robert Smith and Bernard Smith.

Leo was a 1948 graduate of Hopewell-Loudon High School.  After 27 years with General Electric in Tiffin, Leo was a driver for the Mercy Hospital van and worked for several homebuilders.  Leo was extensively involved at St. Joseph, where he was a Eucharistic Minister, an adult server, an usher, a bingo volunteer and served on the cemetery board.  Most recently, he was a videographer for the parish Mass for Shut-ins Program on the local cable TV.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus and the Calvert Athletic Boosters, for whom he videotaped games for many years. 

Leo enjoyed spending time with his family, cheering on the grandchildren at their sporting events, supporting their 4-H projects and their academic achievements.  He and Betty enjoyed several bus tour trips each year.  His hobbies included family genealogy research, woodworking, gardening, sports, playing cards, fishing and bowling. 

His Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, April 28, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Szybka officiating.  A Rosary will be prayed 20 minutes prior to Mass.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Friends may visit with the family from 2-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424. A Christian Wake will begin at 1:30pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Calvert Catholic School, Heartland Hospice or to Mercy Hospital.  The family gives special thanks and appreciation to Heartland Hospice for the care given to Leo.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.