Ralph Edward Smith

Ralph Edward Smith, 85, of Seville, passed away with his family at his side on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at the Cleveland Clinic after a brief illness.

Ralph was born on May 12, 1940, in New Geneva, PA to Albert J. and Bertha Belle (Posten) Smith and married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Bette” Matic on July 15, 1961.  Stationed in Germany, he proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman from 1963 – 1965.  He then spent 40 years working at the Packaging Corp. of American in Rittman until retiring in 2002.  Ralph was an active member of Seville United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee, usher, was a member of the Two by Two Couples Club and the United Methodist Men.  He served on the Administrative Council, the Memorial Committee and worked on the annual Crop Walk.  He happily jumped in on many other tasks at the UMC.  He served on the Seville Village Council, the Board of Public Affairs and the Run for Trails Committee as well as helped with the Easter Egg Hunt.  He was a member of the Cloverleaf District Kiwanis, the Medina Bird Club, the Corvette Club and the DOC’s Train Club.  Ralph was a veracious Model Railroader, and he enjoyed hunting in Southern Ohio, fly fishing in Pennsylvania, boating on Lake Erie, NASCAR Racing, racing his 1965 Chevy Impala at Dragway 42 and following the Cleveland Guardians.  He loved the outdoors and was faithful to his community, his family and his Lord and Savior.

Surviving is his wife, Bette; daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Randy Crawford of Huron, OH, sisters and brothers-in-law,  June and Bill Myers of Muncy PA and Suzanna and Bob Kiefer of Milton PA; his sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws, Martha and Jerry Springer of Seville, Katy and Norm Samples of Lodi and Susan and Gary Ewers of Westfield Center and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death his parents, Albert and Shirley Smith and Bertha Smith and a brother, Albert Smith Jr.

Services will be Tuesday, Oct. 14th at 12:30 p.m. at Seville United Methodist Church with Pastor Dave McGrath officiating.  Burial will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.  Friends may call Monday, Oct. 13th from 4-7 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Creston.  In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Seville United Methodist Church. PO Box 32, Seville, OH 44273.