Wendell Smith, aged 92, died peacefully on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at his home at Wesley Glen Retirement Community in Columbus.  Raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Wendell moved to Ohio with his college sweetheart to start his teaching career and raise a family.  A devoted husband for nearly 70 years to Ruby (Long) who survives him, Wendell was equally devoted to his children Amy (Tim Caum), Melissa (Dan) Clayton, Andrew (Ellen), and Sarah (Bill) Lange.  "Grampy" was looked up to by his grandchildren Asa Smith, Samuel Smith, Stanford (Shannon) Lange and Allison Lange.  He is also survived by his sister Myra Jamison.

To his children, Dad was a storyteller, traveler, tutor, mechanic, farmer, builder, handyman and active church layperson.  To his students, Mr. Smith was a mathematician, chemist and role model.  During a teaching career that spanned 36 years, Wendell taught for the National Science Foundation traveling STEM program, Minerva Local Schools, and various branches of Kent State University.  In addition, he sat on the boards for R. G. Drage Career Technical Center and Minerva Local Schools.  Being the consummate educator, Wendell made an anatomical bequest to The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Donations may be made in memory of Wendell Smith to:

Hospice Services at Methodist ElderCare, 1550 Old Henderson Road, Suite E212, Columbus, OH 43220 or online at www.methodisteldercare.org/donate;

Minerva Education Foundation and Alumni Association, P. O. Box 42, Minerva, OH 44657; or

Minerva United Methodist Church, 204 North Main Street, Minerva, OH 44657.