Monday, April 14, 2025

Geraldine V. Smitley, 104

April 11, 2025 107 Views

Geraldine V. Smitley, 104 years of Hicksville, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Vancrest of Hicksville, with her family with her. Geraldine was born on August 15, 1920, in Anchor, Illinois, the daughter of the late William Franklin and Opal L. (Wells) West. She was a 1939 graduate of Hicksville High School. She married Kenneth W. Smitley on February 1, 1941, and he passed away on December 28, 2014, after 73 years of marriage. Geraldine was a teller for the Hicksville Building and Loan for several years. She also worked at the 50 Corp in Bryan, cleaning homes for others. She also worked at the former City Loan, and as a bookkeeper for Bev Kaiser Jewelers. Geraldine also collected tickets at the Defiance County Fair every year. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Geraldine enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers and plants, reading, crocheting, and sewing and spending time with her family.

Surviving are her two daughters, Joan Stantz of Hicksville, and Carol Armstrong of Defiance: four grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; one brother, Edward West; one grandson, Kirt Myers; one granddaughter, Julia Armstrong and one great-grandson, Ryan Armstrong.

Visitation for Geraldine V. Smitley will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m., Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 706 North Main Street, Hicksville. Private funeral services for Geraldine will follow in the funeral home with Pastor Jack Teeple officiating. Private burial will take place in Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville.

Memorial contributions can be made directly to the Community Health Professionals Hospice, or Fort Defiance Humane Society.

Condolences may be sent to the family, or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com.