Richard Gene Smith

April 7, 1943 - September 2, 2016

Richard Gene Smith, 73, of New Castle went home to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, September 2, 2016 in his home following a lengthy illness. He was born on April 7, 1943 in New Castle, the son of the late Denton and Ruby (Anderson) Smith. Richard was a graduate of New Castle High School. He married the love of his life, Norma Witham, on June 4, 1971. Richard worked for Dana Corporation for 30 years before retiring in 1999. He was a member of Greensboro Church of the Nazarene. Richard enjoyed coaching his sons T-ball team and spending time outdoors with his children and grandchildren fishing and playing games. Those left to cherish Richard’s memory include his loving wife, Norma Smith; three sons, Michael Smith of Richmond, Jack Smith and Joshua (wife: Carrie) Smith both of New Castle; a daughter, April Dutrow of Florida; grandchildren, Kelsie Dawn Sterns, whom he raised, Cindy and Heather Smith, Caleb Dutrow, Skyler Shipley, Benjamin and Bailey Smith; several great-grandchildren; three sisters, Diana (husband: Bill) Moore of Mooreland, Joyce (husband: Mike) Ford of Dunreith and Rosemary Watkins of New Castle and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Richard A. Smith; a daughter, Jeaneth Dawn Pentacost; a granddaughter, Kirsten Paige Sidwell; an Infant brother and his father and mother-in-law, Oral and Eliza Witham. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at Sproles Family Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Dugger officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery West Lawn Addition. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with expenses. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Richard Gene Smith.