Elsie M. Smith

Elsie M. Smith, age 100, of Covington passed away on January 20, 2022 at StoryPoint, Troy, Ohio.

She was born in Willowdell, Ohio on January 26, 1921 to the late Henry and Mary Oehrtman Treon.  The Treon family later moved to Covington, where Elsie graduated from Covington High School in 1939.

Elsie married Marion R. Smith on July 22, 1943. After spending the Army years of World War II in California, the Smiths returned to Miami County where Marion and Elsie worked together, building the family farm in rural Piqua, and raised their daughters Karen and Kathy.  These years were spent producing crops and livestock and enjoying time with their large extended family, as Elsie was one of five children and Marion came from a family of nine.  After their girls were grown and married, Elsie and Marion doted on their four grandchildren, attending all kinds of 4-H, athletic and school events.  Elsie was blessed to watch her five great-grandchildren grow into young adults and loved to watch their activities, attending her last basketball game a month before her passing. 

Elsie and Marion’s happy marriage lasted 53 years and ended with Marion’s death on December 8, 1996.  In addition to her parents and husband, Elsie was preceded in death by her siblings:  Russell Treon, Odus Treon, Adeline Worley, Elfreda “Fritz” Treon, and son-in-law, John Gearhardt.

Elsie leaves behind her daughters:  Karen Gearhardt and Kathy (Rick) Short, grandchildren:  Lisa (Chris) Wesner, Mike (Charity Comer) Short, Mindy Gearhardt and Staci (Andy) Mead, great-grandchildren:  Michael, John and Caroline Wesner and Cameron and Taylor Kirker, along with numerous nieces and nephews. 

Faith, family and friends were dear to Elsie.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Willowdell and was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Covington. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Covington, with Pastor Rachel Patterson officiating.  Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Covington.  The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. until the start of the service at the church.  Memorial contributions can be made to:  St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 E. Bridge Street, Covington, Ohio 45318.  Stocker-Fraley Funeral Home of Covington is handling the arrangements for the family.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.stockerfraley.com.

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