He was born on June 21, 1940 in Kinsman, to Keith and Betty Smith.

He graduated from Vernon High School in 1958. He graduated from Anderson College in 1966 and the Anderson School of Theology in 1969. He received his doctorate in ministry from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. , in 1984.

In 1969 he began his ministry at Fairfield Church of God in Fairfield. In 1971 he was associate pastor with The United Methodist Church in Grove City, Ohio. In 1977 he was pastor of Calvary United Methodist in Toledo, followed by Trinity United Methodist Church in Swanton from 1985, Greenville First United Methodist in Greenville from 1993, Hayes Memorial United Methodist Church in Fremont in 1993 and Sharon United Methodist Napoleon Church in 2005. He began serving his last church in 2008, at Metamora United Methodist Church in Metamora, retiring in 2009 after 38 years of service to the Lord.

Duane was a Freemason and an active member of the Rotary Club and Kiwanis and worked with Habitat for Humanity. Throughout his ministry, he served on various committees with the West Ohio Annual Conference and United Methodist Church districts and with local communities in the cities where he served. He has led missionary work throughout his career. He spent his free time fishing in the Great Lakes.

Duane is survived by his wife, Kay Smith, whom he married in 1995; sons, Grant Smith and Dwight (Danielle) Smith; stepchildren, Brian (Angie) LaMee and Amanda (Jamie) Seibert; brothers, Keith (Jan) Smith, Clyde (Mary) Smith; sisters, Cedelia (Frank) Longley, Elaine (Tony) Podlogar and Margie Smith; grandchildren, Erica (Josh) Mielcarek, Elena Smith, Caden Smith and Grayson Smith; step-grandchildren, Katie LaMee, Brynna Gaines and Brady Gaines, Ben Seibert and Nicholas Seibert; great-grandchildren, Carter Mielcarek, Mila Mielcarek, Hazel Mielcarek; and several nieces and nephews.

Duane was predeceased by his parents, Keith and Betty Smith; brother, Gaylord Smith; nephew, Joey Dudley; and his niece, Gabby Martin.

Arrangements made by Ansberg West Funeral Home, Toledo and Galloway-Onstott Funeral Home, Hartford. Services will be held in private for the family.

Those wishing to make commemorative contributions are urged to consider Cherry Street Mission in Toledo or Wood County Habitat for Humanity, Bowling Green.

The family of Duane Smith would like to express our sincere thanks to the staff at Browning Masonic for their years of caring for Duane, to the Ohio Living Hospice for their compassion and care to Duane and his family, and to Amada Senior Care for their care of Duane. home when he was brought home in his final weeks.

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