Duane E. Smith, 72, lifelong resident Oregon, Ohio passed away, Thursday, November 15, 2018 at his residence. Duane was the only child of Charles A. and Orma R. (Moffett) Smith, who preceded him in death. He was a 1964 graduate of Clay High School and earned a business degree from Capital University in 1968. Until his retirement, he worked as a police dispatcher for the City of Oregon Police Department. Prior work history included Huntington Bank and Oregon City Schools, where he was a teacher.
A lifetime member of Christ United Methodist Church in Oregon, Duane was a willing volunteer in the ministries of the church and held many positions on committees for the church. He generously assisted with church maintenance and prepared countless meals for church fundraisers, as well as meals for St. Louis Helping Hands. Duane loved helping others and was a very civic minded serving on many local committees for the betterment of Oregon and surrounding communities. For many years he supervised the blood donations for the Oregon branch of the America Red Cross. He had a lifelong interest in railroading and had an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia. He enjoyed numerous train excursions throughout the United States and Canada. Duane also enjoyed photography.
Duane is survived by cousins and many friends.
Visitation will be held at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road, Oregon on Monday from 2-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am at Christ United Methodist Church, 5757 Starr Ext., Oregon where family and friends can gather beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will be private in West Union Cemetery, Gibsonburg. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy in memory of Duane are asked to consider Christ United Methodist Church.