Dale Harlan Smith, age 62, died unexpectedly on Friday, February 16, 2018. He was born on July 6, 1955, at the Corey Hospital in Chardon, OH, to Harley DeWitt and Ellen (Nee: Tucker) Smith. Dale was a 1973 graduate of Chardon High School, where he had been a member of the band, and also The Great Geauga County Fair Band. In 1979, he was hired at the Brecksville VA Medical Center as a firefighter, later becoming the Safety Officer for the Medical Center, retiring in 2006. Dale developed his love of model trains with his father, becoming a Life Member of the National Model Railroad Association, and Assistant Superintendent of Division 5 in NE Ohio.
After retirement from the VA, he became a seasonal employee of the Hazen Construction and for the Hambden Twp. Road Department, keeping the roads safe and clean. His passion was the Hambden Fire Department, joining at age 18. He devoted over 30 years to fire service; as 2nd Asst. Chief (under Fred Zukurish); as Hambden’s training officer; as a member of the Geauga Arson Task Force; and as a State Certified Fire Instructor. Dale taught many young men and women to share his passion for fire service throughout NE Ohio. He was awarded the “Firefighter of the Year Award” for the Hambden Fire Dept. in 2015.
Survivors include his wife, Deborah (Nee: Meade) whom he married on Aug., 2, 1986, in Claridon Twp.; his mother, Ellen (Nee: Tucker) of Hambden Twp.; daughter, Sarah N. Smith (Fiancé: Adam Robbins) of Galloway, OH; sister, Lu Ann (Dennis) Burger of Montville; step-daughters, Carrie Stokes of Claridon Twp., and Darcy Bishop of Middlefield; step-son, Dameon (Jackie) Keller of Mentor, OH; 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; nieces, Juli D. Stone and Sally D. (Jason) Chapek; nephew, Paul (Heather) Burger; 4 great nephews and 2 great-nieces.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 24, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., with a Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon, OH. Interment will be in Hambden Twp. Cemetery, on Sunday, February 25, at 2:00 p.m. Contributions are suggested in Dale’s name to the Hambden Fire Dept., 9867 Old State Rd. Chardon, OH 44024. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.