James "Snuffy" Dean Smith

James "Snuffy" Dean Smith, age 75 of Ney, Ohio, passed away at home on Monday, November 18, 2024.   
  
He was born on May 19, 1949, to the late Robert and Mary (Matthews) Smith in Detroit, Michigan. Jim proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1972 and for two additional years in the Reserves. On December 26, 1969, he married M. Elane Phillips, they have been happily married for 55 years.
  
Jim was a member of Defiance VFW #3360 and AmVets #1991. He worked as a Beck Cutter at Johns Manville for over 32 years until his retirement in 2004. He enjoyed metal detecting, playing guitars, traveling, listening to The Beatles, music, golfing and fishing with his sons. He loved going on walks with "Trixie" his dog and watching the Detroit Tigers. He treasured his time spent with his grandkids.
  
Jim is survived by his loving wife M. Elane Smith of Ney, OH, and his sons, James Daren (June) Smith of Liberty Center, Jeffery Dean (Stacie) Smith of Ney, and Joel Douglas (Stephanie) Smith of Liberty Center. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren with one on the way, and his sister, Dee Watson. 
  
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Jeremy Daniel Smith and Jason David Smith, brothers Robert Arthur Smith, Richard Allen Smith and Anthony Lee Smith, and his sister, Suzanne Carol Brown. 
  
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 25th at the funeral home, with Dave Phillips officiating. One hour of visitation will be held on Monday before the service. Jim will be laid to rest at Riverview Memory Gardens, with Graveside Military Honors.

There will be a funeral dinner at the Bryan VFW #2489, 709 S. Walnut Street, Bryan, Ohio, 43506 at 2:00 pm following the graveside service on Monday, November 25, 2024. The family would like to invite those who knew Jim to attend.  

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