Ralph W. Smith, age 81, of Delta, peacefully passed away at Swanton Health Care under hospice care on Saturday, November 19, 2016.  He was born in Cygnet, OH on June 26, 1935 to the late Warren Smith and Jeanette (Oberholtzer) Smith.  Ralph was a graduate of Mt. Blanchard High School and later served in the U.S Army.  

On August 17, 1999 he married Ruth (Meienburg) Badenhop and she survives.  Ralph retired from Teamsters Local #20; where he drove truck for many years most recently with Consolidated Trucking and later T&T Holland.  Ralph enjoyed ham radio, fishing, hunting and spending time on his computer.  Along with his wife of 17 years, Ruth Smith; he is survived by his step-children, Thomas (Lois) Childress Sr. of Delta, Ella (Tim) Shelley of Swanton, Tom (Kathleen) Badenhop of Liberty Center and Tara Welling of Hicksville; sisters, Joann Stram of Findlay and Carol (Lynne) Cole of Morgantown, NC; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents and wife, Martha; he was preceded in death by his step-children, Paul and Del Childress, Linda Thacker, Scott Welling; sister, Janet Mains and grandchildren, Thomas D. Childress Jr and infant Jamie Lynn Childress.  

Friends will be received from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Monday, November 21, 2016 at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St. Hwy. 109 in Delta.  A funeral service celebrating Ralph’s life will begin at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5039 Co Rd G, Deshler, Ohio 43516.  Pastor Peter Heyn will be officiating.  Interment will follow at 1:30 PM on Tuesday at East Swanton Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Tommy Childress Jr. Scholarship Fund, 504 Fernwood St, Delta, Ohio 43515, the Delta Fire and Rescue, 500 E. Main St., Delta, Ohio 43515 or Peace Evangelical Lutheran in his memory.  Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com.