Funeral: 10 a.m. April 21 at HOPE of Sparta Church with Pastor James Orick officiating. Inurnment followed at Sparta Cemetery.
Walter Smith, 73, of Sparta, died April 18, 2016, in his home. He was born Feb. 24, 1943, in Steubenville, Ohio, the son of John Joseph, Sr. and Myrrl Smith. On Nov. 17, 1967, he and Linda Lou Morrison were united in marriage and to this union three children were born.
Walter will be remembered for his strong personality and deep love for his family.
Preceding him in death are his parents; two brothers, William Robert Smith and John Joseph Smith, Jr.; and a sister, Frances Thompson.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Smith of the home; three children, Tracy Ann Erwin and husband Jim of Ava, Shela Kay Mills and significant other Jeff Sawyer and Dusty James Smith of Sparta; a sister, Louise Ward of Ohio; brother, Carl Smith of Bloomingdale, Ohio; eight grandchildren, James Matthew Erwin, Michael J. Erwin, Nicole Ann Leuetjen, Jessica Lee Devore, Ty Austin Gaarder, Lily Ann Smith, Logan James Smith and Dalton Joseph Smith; three great-grandchildren, Lane Cole Leuetjen, Waylon James Erwin and Ryleigh Ann Devore; other relatives; and many friends.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Holden Cremation and Funeral Service, Sparta.
