Richard “Dick” K. Smetzer, 94, died peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved wife and family.
Dick was born on April 18, 1930, in Wayne County on a farm that sits where Northwestern High School is now located. He was the youngest of seven children born to Margaret (Hannah) Smetzer and Francis S. Smetzer.
Dick married the love of his life, Donna Jean Parcell, in January 1951. While his wife was pregnant with their identical twin daughters, Bonnie Lou and Connie Sue, Dick left for basic training in Fort Knox. During this time, he and his wife wrote daily letters to one another, and shortly returning to Wayne County, they had their youngest child, a son, Kenneth Ray.
Dick founded Smetzer’s Tire Center in 1957. Now in its 67th year of business and third generation of family leadership, Smetzer’s Tire Center has three retail locations, three commercial locations, and recently was named as a Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.
Dick valued his community and showed his appreciation through support of many organizations, including most recently through support of the new Patient Access and Emergency Center at Wooster Community Hospital.
Dick was known for being hardworking, generous, and fun-loving. By almost any measure, Dick Smetzer created the life he wanted. He built a successful business, loved his family, and passionately pursued outdoor recreation. He enjoyed showing his favorite horse, Sandy, captaining his boat, The Donna Darling, riding his tractor at his home in Wooster or his farm in Coshocton –often giving tractor rides to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, camping, playing golf (and once scored a hole-in-one!), and water skiing. He could always be seen working outdoors, often with a chainsaw in hand, and then settling in the evening around an outdoor fire. He loved animals – especially their pug, Winnie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Ken, and six siblings. He is survived by his wife, his daughters, Bonnie (Glenn) Smetzer and Connie (Mike) Murtaugh, his daughter-in-law, Marie Smetzer, eight grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. He will be missed deeply.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 11:00 AM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster. Interment will follow at Wooster Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Tuesday.
Contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd. Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Donna, Bonnie, Connie and extended Smetzer family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. You and your family have been cherished friends of our family since my childhood, much like an extended family. We hope you feel the presence of others lifting you up during this time of mourning as we all celebrate the warm, kind, and wonderful person that Dick was…and always will be.
With love,
John and Rebecca Schmidt and family
To all the Smetzers, you have always made all of us Murtaughs part of your big happy family. I remember 50 years ago first meeting Donna and Dick. Such welcoming warm people. Always with such great smiles and sweet dispositions. It has been an honor knowing both Dick and Donna through the years. There is so much to celebrate about Dick’s life, I hope it balances out the sadness somewhat. Peace be with you.
Mary Murtaugh
Thank you for your service. Condolences to the family.
Donna and all the Smetzer family,
I am sorry for your loss. Dick enjoyed a beautiful, full life. He will be missed and remembered
by many.
Fondly,
Karla and Kevin Jewell
Uncle Dick is now free of pain watching over all of you he loves so dearly from Heaven. My heart is hurting for all of you but rejoicing hes with Jesus
Donna and Family,
Our sympathy and prayers
Donna, Bonnie, & Connie,
My thoughts & prayers are with you during this tremendous loss.
I’ve treasured the years your family has welcomed me into your home.
May you be comforted by God’s love and the support of family & friends.
My sincere condolences to Dick’s family. He was a hard worker, a very principled man, a good business man and good family man and loved his community. He will be missed by all.