Irvine Ginder Smith

Dr. Irvine G. Smith, 90, of Lancaster, Ohio, died Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at Lanfair Center.

His parents, Frank E. and Myrtle (Ginder) Smith,were both licensed funeral directors. The Fairfield Medical Center "Twig" system was started in Memory of his mother Myrtle.

He graduated from Lancaster High School in 1936 and School Colors were Purple and Gold, The Ohio State Unversity in 1941, as a Doctor of Optometry, and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1942. He served in the European Theatre as a captain in World War II.

He was a third generation funeral director and embalmer at Frank E. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory and was Chairman of the Board. He is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, and National Funeral Directors Association.

He also wa a member by invitation of the Select Independent Funeral Homes, a national organization that promotes excellence and professionalism in funeral services.

He has been involved in many community activities including Fairfiel County Boy Scouts of America, Maywood Missions, FF. Co. Community Health Services,YMCA board and past president from 1970-71, FF Co. Arthritis Board, AAA board , all of Lancaster, Ohio, Masonic bodies, Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce board, Fairfield Hertiage Association, which his wife Petie co-founded.
He is a second generation Rotarian joining in June of 1958, a past president in 1964-65, and a Paul Harris Fellow.

He is a member of the American Legion Post No. 11, VFW Post 1380, Moose Lodge 955 and B.P.O.E. Lodge 570 and Black Cats. Irvine enjoyed travel, golf, photography and Ohio State Unversity sports. He was a member and longtime usher at St. Peters Lutheran Church, where his Mother Myrtle played the organ for 38 years.

He is survived by two sons, Frank R. (Dixie) Smith a fourth generation funeral director and embalmer with Frank E. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory and the Honorable David S. (Debra) Smith; four grandchildren, Lori (Matt) Swain, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, F. Eric (Jennifer) Smith of Baltimore, Ohio, who is the fifth generation funeral director at Smith Funeral Homes, Dr. Matthew (Kay) Smith of Baltimore, Maryland and Katie (Michael) Schenk of Lancaster, Ohio; two step-grandsons, Jason Shaeffer and Andrew (Brandy) Arter both of Lancaster, Ohio; six great-grandchildren, Abigail, Isabella, Eden Swain, Parker and Tanner Schenk and Jacqueline Smith; sister, Nada S. Kerr; a nephew, R. Kenneth (Teri) Kerr III; niece, Calista K. (Ronald) Strickmaker, all of Athens, Ohio.

Services will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, in the Chapel of Frank E. Smith Funeral Home Inc., Lancaster, Ohio, in the absence of the Rev. Emil H. Klat III, Pastor Larry Brown will be officiating.

Interment is to follow in Forest Rose Cemetery, with military rites by the Lancaster Burial Detail.
Friends may call at the funeral home 4 to 8 p.m. today and two hours prior to services on Friday.

Originally published in the Lancaster Eagle Gazette November 13, 2008

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