Dale E. Smith, 58, Math Teacher

He was born June 19, 1948 in Berea, Ohio. Amherst has been his home for the last 24 years.

Dale is a graduate of Cleveland State University. He was employed as a math teacher with the Amherst school system for twenty-seven years. He also served as assistant wrestling coach at St. Edwards in Lakewood. He was a member, past President and past Vice-President of the Lorain County Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. In 2002, he was inducted into the Lorain County Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame. He also coached soccer in Amherst and was a football coach in Elyria, Amherst, and at Oberlin College. Dale enjoyed golfing and was an avid reader.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-four years, Claire A. Smith (nee Knoblauch); his sons Andrew E. Smith of Chicago, Illinois and Anthony D. Smith of Amherst; his mother Lillian A. Smith (nee: Hale) of Olmsted Falls; his brothers and their spouses Bruce and Char Smith of Spencer, Daniel Smith of Olmsted Falls, Barry and Linda Smith, and Lance and Judy Smith, all of Olmsted Falls, Ted and Denise Smith of Wisconsin, and Scott and Karen Smith of Parma; his sisters Linda Yeager of North Olmsted, Patricia and Paul Fulkroad of Olmsted Falls, Dawn Smith of Willoughby, and Denise Day of Bay Village; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert E. Smith Jr.

Friends may call Wednesday, May 9, 2007, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Dr., Amherst. The Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martello, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Rise Above It, Dale E. Smith Scholarship Fund, 1450 West 107th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44102 or CHP Regional Foundation/New Life Hospice; 3700 Kolbe Road, Lorain, OH 44053.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst, Ohio 44001.