Dairl E. Smith passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024. He was 83.
He was born on November 27, 1940 to parents George Sr. and Bessie (Duty) Smith in Peterfork, Kentucky. After high school Dairl went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Army.
In his adult years Dairl worked at AK Steel for 45 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Steel Workers #169, Crown Victoria Association, and the Car Coddlers of Ohio. Once he was retired he became a regular at the Ashland Road McDonalds every morning where he and many other retirees would meet for their morning coffee- not even Covid stopped their morning meetings, it just moved them to the parking lot temporarily!
Dairl had a love for cars that could not be matched, and he loved attending car shows with his grandson Jeffery. He took his national award winning ’55 Ford Crown Victoria- which you could not refer to as “pink and white” without Dairl correcting you that the colors were actually Tropical Rose and Snowshoe White- and his ’54 Chevy Bel Air to shows all over the place to pass along his love of cars to the next generation. When he wasn’t attending car shows he was busy hosting many benefit car shows to help children with medical issues and special needs- his favorite show being the NAPA Auto Parts Car Show was his pride and joy.
When he wasn’t at a car show, or working on his vehicles, Dairl enjoyed spending time in his garden and working on the yard, singing Bluegrass music at the Belmont Community Center, reading his West Virginia magazines, watching old western movies, and helping the Amish in his community with transportation needs. On Thursdays he enjoyed a bowl of goulash from the Mansfield Family Restaurant, and he would never turn down the chance to have his favorite meal: Cornbread, pinto beans, and fried potatoes.
Dairl is survived by his grandson Jeffery “Junior” Smith, children Debbie (Dave) Marler, Dairl Smith Jr., and Todd Smith, granddaughters Jordain Jones and Angel Marler, and special friend Joyce Moore.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife Blanche Smith, and siblings Mangeline Fields, Louise Orren, George Smith Jr., and Billie Smith.
Memorial contributions can be made to Mansfield Baptist Temple in Dairl’s honor.
The Smith family will receive guests from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home. A funeral service in his honor will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at the funeral home with burial to follow at Mansfield Memorial Park. Pastor Rob Kurtz will speak. Those attending the funeral who share Dairl’s love of classic cars, please consider driving it in the procession for Dairl’s final ride!
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Dairl’s family and encourage you to share a fond memory or message of condolence on his obituary page at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com
Funeral Home: Snyder Marion Ave Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com