Verona J. (Wise)

Verona J. (Wise) Smith, 97, of formerly of Rossburg, OH, and the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, OH, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 14, 2009 at Trinity Community Health Care Center in Beavercreek. She was born in Ft. Loramie, OH, daughter of the late August A. and Catherine (Reiss) Wise. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Donn Smith on January 5, 2001; sisters, Esther Recher, Hilda Griner, Theresa Davidson and Madge Westerheide; and a brother, Edward Wise. Verona was a member of the Rossburg United Methodist Church and had graduated from Minster High School and the Community College in Dayton. She was a member of the Ansonia Senior Citizens, American Heart Association, Business and Professional Women's Club, a former board member of the American Cancer Society, Darke County Chapter, past member of the Ansonia Garden Club, and had volunteered for many years at Wayne Hospital in Greenville. She had worked toward the success of the Donn Smith Orchestra and the Rossburg Fire Department and its auxiliary. However, she will be most remembered bY those she loved as a faithful wife, cherished mother, beloved grandmother, proud great-grandmother and loyal sister. She is survived by her children, Jerry W. Smith of Beavercreek, OH; daughter, Suzanne Pratt of Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Dana Pratt, Jeffrey Pratt, Charles Pratt, Eric W. Smith, Adam Smith and Shelley Knick; several and several great grandchild; a sister, Kathryn Highley of California; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held Saturday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Rossburg United Methodist Church in Rossburg, OH with the Revs. John Monroe and John Paddock co-officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenville Township Memorial Gardens near Greenville. The family will receive friends at the Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home, 1000 N. Broadway, Greenville on Friday from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Rossburg Fire Department. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.oliverfloyd.com The family would like to thank the staffs of the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville and Trinty Community Health Care Center for their tireless devotion to this wonderful woman during the final years of her life. She lived a honorable life and passed with dignity.