Service measured not by GOLD,
                           but by the GOLDEN RULE

Service measured not by GOLD,
          but by the GOLDEN RULE

330.262.7771

Kenneth R. Smetzer, 67, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 28, 2021 surrounded by his loving family at his home in Wooster, Ohio.
Third child to Richard and Donna Parcell Smetzer, Ken lived an adventurous and full life with his wife of 42 years, Marie, their daughters (Traci, Joy, Jamie (Joshua), and Jessica (Chad), and grandchildren (Alixandria, Oriana, Symara, Adalyn, and Hadley).
He started working at Smetzer ™s Tire Center, the business started by his father, at the early age of 12 and learned the tire business from the ground up. He went on to become president and expanded the business to include a retreading shop and several other locations around Ohio. When Ken retired in 2018 he proudly passed the tire torch to son-in-law, Chad.
Ken had a quick wit and playful spirit. He loved a good laugh, animals, nature, traveling, and family. Whether sitting around a campfire, walking on the beach, playing WordScapes on his phone, constructing squirrel obstacle courses in the backyard, feeding the deer on the property he meticulously maintained, boating on Lake Cumberland, watching cartoons with his cat, or waking his children on family vacations by blasting œBad to the Bone,  he made the most of it all.
Ken leaves a lifetime of memories, stories, and a legacy of strong Smetzer women. Ken ™s greatest accomplishment, by far, was his family. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, parents, and sisters Bonnie (Skip) and Connie.
There will be no public service at this time.
Those wishing to honor Ken may do so by raising a glass to his adventurous life, embracing every moment, and sending donations to Ohio ™s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691.
Love lives forever.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com

Memorial Contributions
Those wishing to honor Ken may do so by raising a glass to his adventurous life, embracing every moment, and sending donations to Ohio ™s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691.

Service
There will be no public service at this time.

Visitation

20 Comments

  1. To Marie and the girls, I am so sorry about your loss. Ken was a great guy! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!!

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  2. My heart goes out to the Smetzer family. He definitely leaves a legacy of strong Smetzer women.

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  3. So Sorry for the Loss of a Friend!!

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  4. I will always remember the laughter~Cheers ❤️

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  5. My deepest sympathy to you Marie and the girls . Have not seen you or Ken in many years but oh my goodness the fun memories I have from back in the day when we used to get together and have some really good times.

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  6. My deepest sympathy to you Marie and the girls . Have not seen you or Ken in many years but oh my goodness the fun memories I have from back in the day when we used to get together and have some really good times.

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  7. May God wrap his arms around you and your family during this difficult time. All who knew Ken will remember him with a smile on our faces.

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  8. Dear Marie and family, Tom and I are SO very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. All who knew him, can agree, that his family was the most important thing in his life, which he lived to the fullest. He always had a smile on his face!!! Please know that we are thinking of all of you during this sad, difficult time…..

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  9. To Marie and family go our deepest condolences. Ken will be missed by many, none more than you. We are so grateful for the time we were able to spend him over the years. May God give you some comfort at this very difficult time.

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  10. Words can not express the sympathy we wish Marie and the entire Smetzer family. The great times we had together are legendary, and will always be remembered! Kenny was a great guy and will be missed by many.

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  11. Dick, Donna and family
    So sorry to hear about Ken. I still remember bicycling up to your house practically every summer day
    when me and Ken was in 6th and 7th grade and we would play basketball and just hang out and ride up Batdorf road to see other friends.
    Really miss those days and will miss Ken.
    Sincerely
    Tim

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  12. Our Heartfelt Sympathy to Dick and Donna, Marie and the girls. Our thoughts will be with your family through these times. We had a lot of fun and stories and most of them where even true. We will surely miss Ken!

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  13. Our prayers are with the entire family. Ken was the first to welcome us to the neighborhood, and was always there to help if ever needed.

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  14. Marie I am so sorry for your loss. I remember so many good times with you and Ken. He had an infectious smile and keen wit. I pray you find solace.

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  15. Although it had been many years since Ken and I talked, there are special memories of him I shall never forget. I remember when we built the motorcycle for him that he rode to California. And after that all the times that I met with him buying motorcycle tires for my custom shop and the Harley-Davidson shop and of course my personal business. I always called him “Sunshine” because he brightened my day. Prayers and condolences for the family. Jon

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  16. Marie, Dick & Donna, and family,
    You have our deepest condolences. Our hearts go out to the entire family.
    Growing up with Ken and continuing our friendship throughout our adult years has created an endless amount of cherished memories. He will be greatly missed by all.

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  17. Thanks for the memories Ken. You will always be part of me.

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  18. We’re very sorry for your loss.

    Reply

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