Stanley Wayne Smith
August 14, 1931 to August 8, 2020
Stanley Wayne Smith was born on August 14, 1931 in Decatur County, Indiana to Stanley and Opal Smith. Wayne was the eldest of seven children, having four brothers (Dale, Leon, Wendell and Jack), and two sisters (Betty and Violet). He graduated from high school in Nashville, Indiana. He resided there until he left for college to Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois. He then attended Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.
He served as a Nazarene pastor for almost 35 years. Serving churches in Anderson, Indiana; La Grange, Indiana; Cortland, Ohio; Uhrichsville, Ohio; St. Marys, Ohio and Skowhegan, Maine. He retired after serving in Skowhegan, Maine and eventually moved to Westerville, Ohio and then later to Gold Canyon, Arizona.
His retirement years were filled with travel, adventure, and a life of service to the Lord. Wayne and Marge spent 3 years traveling around the country in their motor home, visiting amazing sights and all their family and friends. Wayne also fulfilled his lifetime dream of going to Alaska by driving there! They lived in Westerville, Ohio for a time before settling down in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Wayne was involved in the local Nazarene church where he was always being of service to others, mostly by building or fixing things. His family, friends, and neighbors can attest to his ability to give a helping hand whenever there was a need. Wayne loved his time in Arizona. He was the “Trail Master” to a church hiking group that met once a week for 10 years. He lived his best life while living in Arizona.
Wayne married Mary Margaret Ruble on August 15, 1953 and on July 18, 1981 he married Marjorie Ann Benson. Together they have seven children – Mark (Marcia) Smith, Tamara (Gary) Orr, Renea (Michael) Raines, Tim Benson, Marilyn Bohlman, Barbara (Bard) Strand, and John Benson. He had 21 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Opal; three brothers, Dale, Wendell and Jack; his wife, Mary; his daughter, Tamara; and his grand-daughter, Alexis.
Memorial Service held Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 2:00pm at East Valley Church of the Nazarene, 131 N. Signal Butte Rd., Apache Junction, AZ 85120. Pastor Scott Thornton officiating the service.
An additional Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 10:00 am at the Blendon Central Cemetery Chapel, 6330 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081. Pastor Mark Ledford, officiating the Chapel service. Reception to follow at the Westerville Church of the Nazarene at 355 Cherrington Rd., Westerville, OH 43081.