Phillip E. Smith, 79 of Ossian and formerly of Zanesville, passed away Monday morning May 29, 2023, at his home. Phil was a math teacher for 33 years, first at Lane Middle School and then at Wayne High School in Fort Wayne, retiring in 1999. Over the years Phil had coached Boy’s and Girl’s basketball and had started the Girl’s Softball program at Wayne. Phil was a 1961 graduate of East Union High School, where he played baseball and basketball. He then received his bachelor’s in education from Ball State and later received his master’s from Purdue. He was a lifelong member of the Markle Church of Christ and had served as Deacon, Elder, Treasurer and Sunday school teacher. He also loved coaching the church softball teams. Phil was an avid Chicago White Sox fan and had even tried out for the Sox after high school. Phil and Kathy had fulfilled a dream of theirs in the summer of 2005, when they visited every MLB ballpark. He loved vacationing with family at Lake Kabetogama in Minnesota. Phil’s greatest joy was serving, he went on several Mission trips and always lent a helping hand to anyone in need.
He was born on October 6, 1943, in Huntington County, a son of Vaughn and Mary (Weaver) Smith.
He was united in marriage to Wanda Orr on Aug. 29, 1964, in Kokomo, IN. She preceded him in death on January 21, 1990. He later married Kathleen Gray on December 26, 1992, in Markle. Kathy survives.
Additional survivors include two sons: Brent (Rachel) Smith of Markle and Brian (Jennifer) Smith of Lebanon, IN; a daughter: Kim (Dan) Clark of Roanoke; a stepson: Chris (Christy) Gray of Bay Village, OH and a brother Jeff (Tonya) Smith of Cove City, NC. Ten grandchildren: Nikka (Nathan), Mariah (Miguel), Marisa (Aaron), Bethany, Addison, Luke, Isaac (Maddy), Kayci (Luke), Tabitha (Trey) and Audrey; two great grandchildren: Chandler and Jayda and two on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Wanda, and three brothers: Duane Smith, Keith Smith and Fred Smith.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Markle Church of Christ, 455 E. Morse St., Markle, IN.
A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. following the visitation at the Markle Church of Christ, 455 E. Morse St., Markle, IN
Interment will take place at a later date in the Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville.
Preferred Memorials are to Agristewards, sent in care to Myers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 403, Markle, IN 46770, or take your family out to a Ballgame in memory of Phil.
