Pastor Ronald J. Smith

Pastor Ronald J. Smith, 76, of Zanesville, died at 2:08 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2009 at Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital. He was born August 18, 1932, in Zanesville, a son of the late Leonard and Isabel Diehl Smith. He was a former employee of Ohio Power for 28 years before entering the ministry in 1981 at Maranatha Bible Church, where he served as an Assistant Pastor and Missions Director. He ministered on missions trips to India nine times, the Phillippines 2 times and Uruguay once. Surviving are his loving wife of 58 years, Leah Bowles Smith, whom he married September 1, 1950, of the home; four daughters, Nancy Smith, Debra Gee, Karen (Don) Sheppard Jr. and Tamara Gard, all of Zanesville; three sons, Timothy (Karen) Smith of Zanesville, Robert (Lynn) Smith of Ephrata, Washington and Steve (Sherry) Smith of Zanesville; two sisters, Madielene (Edsel) Shaver of Zanesville and Janice (Larry) Willis of North Carolina; two brothers, Leonard (Dorothy) Smith of Frazeysburg and Charles Smith of Canal Winchester; 11 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Ave., Zanesville and two hours prior to services at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 23, 2009 at Maranatha Bible Church, 2400 Chandlersville Road, Zanesville with Pastor L. Dale McCallister officiating. Burial will follow at Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Zanesville Christian School, 2400 Chandlersville Road, Zanesville, Ohio, 43701.