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Dorothy “Marlene” Smith, 88 years old, of Bryan passed away Friday, September 3, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer peacefully entering into the arms of her Lord. Marlene began her earthly journey, September 4, 1932, near Melbern, Ohio at the family farm. She was the daughter of the late Cleo and Vera (Fix) Drummond.
She began her lifelong passion of education, graduating in 1950 from Bryan High School and in 1954 from Bowling Green State University, however her thirst for knowledge never ended. Shortly after graduating from college, she married her high school sweetheart, LaVon “Eldon” Smith on September 24, 1954, in Bryan. Throughout their adventurous 60 years together, one of her greatest joys was their combined interest in a variety of passions. Marlene and Eldon found great joy in these passions knowing it would only add to the legacy of their life together. As a result, their family was given qualities that would sustain them in their lives. As the decades passed some of their fondest memories included: travel, hockey games, bull riding, concerts, dance recitals, bike rides, soccer games, marching band shows, softball games, among many others. Marlene’s heart was broken, when Eldon preceded her in death on October 28, 2014.
Two of Marlene’s greatest dedications in her life were being an elementary teacher for 29 years in the Bryan City School system and the devotion to her church, First Lutheran. In both of these endeavors she was able to instill the love of learning in others. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church for 83 years, where she served in many capacities, including writing a book for the church’s sesquicentennial, “History of First Lutheran Church ”.
Marlene’s interests included such hobbies as reading, antique glassware, visiting Elderhostel’s, researching genealogy, and actively belonging to many clubs and groups. She has been a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Fortnightly Study Club, Fairview Ladies Book Club, Williams County Genealogy Society, Civil War Families of Ohio, First Families of Williams County, First Families of Ohio, Bryan City Band, and Chi Omega Sorority. Marlene and Eldon achieved one of their goals by traveling to all 50 states, and several foreign countries. Her children often joke about visiting museums on every family vacation.
Surviving is her brother, Roger (Vondel) Drummond, of Niwot, Colorado; three children, Melinda Smith, of Wolbach, Nebraska, Pam (Tim) Lucas, of Bryan, and Derrick (Brenda) Smith of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; nine grandchildren, Maggie (Bruce) Conrad, Christopher (Katie) Bernt, Keldon (Amber) Phillips, Shane (Gabby) Pitts, Molly (Andy) Collert, Tyler (Stacey) Smith, Lucas (Courtney) Smith, Curtis (Jessica) Lucas, and Cristina Thompson, eighteen great-grandchildren, Gracie, Natalie and Bozley Conrad, Addie, Ruby, Caroline, Pearl and August Bernt, Ava Collert, Evelynn Pitts, Reese and Ellie Smith, Connor and Zachary Lucas, Riley Paseka, Alexis and Jackson Harris, Kelsey Thompson. Marlene was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon, her parents, and an infant granddaughter, Amanda Jane Pitts.
Visitation for Dorothy “Marlene” Smith will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home High Street Chapel, 225 East High Street, Bryan. Funeral services for Marlene will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2021, in Trinity Lutheran Church, 509 Center Street, Bryan with Deacon Jeanie Wise and Celebrant Patricia Peter officiating. Interment will follow in Brown Cemetery, Bryan, Ohio. Visitation for Marlene will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Due to the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, the family request that anyone who attends the visitation, or the funeral service please wear a mask.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to Community Health Professionals Home Health and Hospice or to the Williams County Public Library.
Condolences may be sent to the family or the online guest book may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com