Alice M. Smith

Alice M. Smith, age 97, of Ft. Myers, Florida and formerly of Upper Sandusky, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 11:23pm at her son's farm home in rural Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

Alice was born on May 31, 1917 in Wyandot County, Ohio. She was the third child of Walter and Sarah Ann (Ulrich) Messmer, both of whom are deceased. She married Clarence L. Smith on November 23, 1934 and he passed away on November 7, 1981.

She is survived by a son, Karl "Fritz" (Sue) Smith of Tiffin, Ohio, and 2 daughters, Phyllis A. (Robert) Caldwell of Upper Sandusky, and Kathleen K. Devine of Ft. Myers, Florida.

Alice is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Brian (Nancy) Caldwell, Jennifer (Kear) and husband Brian Street, Andrew (Tiffany) Kear, Aaron (Nikki) Smith, Allison (Smith) and husband Jim Poorman, Adam (Carrie) Smith, Alex (Tracy) Smith, Austin (Ashley) Smith and Jason (Erica) Devine. Also surviving are 22 great grandchildren, Elizabeth (Caldwell) and husband Javier Valencia, Lauren Caldwell, Alyson (Caldwell) and husband Tim Holman, Riley, Davis and Garrett Street, Caleb, Ian and Braden Kear, Morgan, Kennedy and Leah Smith, Luke, Cole, Ty, Vaughn and Corinne Poorman, Lucas Smith, Alexis and Logan Smith, Joshua and Jacob Smith and 2 step-great grandchildren Nickey (Joe) Lowery and Mackenzie Lowery and 4 great great grandchildren Daryn Caldwell, Christian and Evan Holman and Gabriel Valencia.

Alice is survived by 2 brothers, David S. Messmer of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Robert M. Messmer of Marion, Ohio, a sister, Reva Jane Thompson also of Marion and 3 sisters-in-law, Grace Messmer of Wharton, Ohio, Mae Messmer of Upper Sandusky and Linda Messmer of Marion.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, children Robert Allen, Carol Sue and Mary E. Kear, grandsons Matthew Kear and Darin Caldwell and brothers Raymond, Vernon, Paul, Myron, Francis, Richard, Earl, Wayne and sisters, Bernice Kirian and Shirley Uribe.

In addition to her duties as a loving homemaker, Alice was an employee of Scioto Ordinance Plant in Marion, Swan Rubber in Carey, Millington Plastics in Upper Sandusky, and, after moving to Florida, she worked in food preparation for many airlines at Ft. Myers International Airport, retiring at the age of 78.

Alice completed the 8th grade at Mifflin School after which, out of necessity, she remained at home to help care for her siblings. In December 2014, she was presented an Honorary Diploma from Upper Sandusky High School.

Alice was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church, a 50-year member of the Warpole Chapter #366 O.E.S. and the Daughters of the Nile. She also was a member of the Villas Women's Association of Ft. Myers.

Self-taught at an early age, Alice became an accomplished seamstress. Through the years she created intricate seasonal items for family and friends which have become treasured mementos.

Alice loved cooking, baking, circling the word puzzles, playing cards and bingo and attending family sporting events. She enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and Europe, cruising on her 90th birthday, and visiting with family and friends. Alice will be remembered for her loving care and her devotion to her entire family.

Funeral services for Alice M. Smith will be held at 3:00pm Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Lucas-Batton Funeral Home in Upper Sandusky with the Rev. Joe Trester officiating. Burial will follow at Old Mission Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Wyandot County and can be sent to Lucas-Batton, 476 S. Sandusky Ave. Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.