Richard Smith Obituary

Richard C. Smith

Jul 5, 1935 - Feb 20, 2026

Collins, OH

Richard Charles "Dick" Smith, 90, Collins, passed away Friday, February 20, 2026, after an illness.

Dick was fortunate to spend the last 30 years of his life in retirement, doing what he loved, attending family events, relaxing with friends and tending to his vegetable garden. His most cherished time was spent with his wife, Mimi, whether podding peas on a summer day, attending Mass or traveling. The 2022 loss of his wife left a void too large to fill. He longed for their reunion.

Smith was born in Norwalk and graduated as president of his class at Milan High School in 1953. A member of the U.S. Army, he served his country in Korea. He retired in 1996 after leading the engineering lab at Clevite (later Tenneco) in Milan. He served as past president of Edison Music Boosters, a member of St. Anthony's Parish Council and was an eucharistic minister. He enjoyed refinishing furniture, woodworking and singing the third verse of Happy Birthday, in harmony, louder than anyone in the room. He was most proud of the home he and Mimi built with their own hands.

Dick is survived by his daughters, Diane (Patrick) Printy and Karen (Craig) Boose; grandchildren, Joshua (Michael Koury) Boose, Jessica (Rick) Visci, Tatum (Drew) Windisch, Patrick "P.J." Printy, and Colin Printy; great-grandchildren, Brayden Spencer, Olivia Spencer, Bennett Spencer, Grayson Windisch and Callan Windisch; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Almeta "Mimi" (Russ) Smith; parents, Charles and Elizabeth (Kotasek) Smith; brothers, James, Robert and Carl Smith; sisters, Marlene Robertson and Geraldine "Jeri" Mischler; and granddaughter, Jacqueline Boose.

Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at St. Anthony Parish Hall, 145 S. Center Street, Milan. Funeral Mass will immediately follow on-site. Burial at Riverside Cemetery in Berlin Heights, will follow Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Milan.

Toft Funeral Home, Hinman Chapel, 38 South Street, Berlin Heights, is handling arrangements.

Condolences may be shared online at toftfuneralhome.com.