Carol A. Smith

Carmela "Carol" A. (Barone) Smith, 87, of Sandusky, OH passed away peacefully late Saturday night, January 10, 2026, at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky.

   Born on August 15, 1938, in Sandusky, OH the daughter of John "Johnny" Carmen and Angela "Angie" Marie (Rudo) Barone.  She was a 1956 graduate of Sandusky High School and later graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelors in Education in 1972 and her Masters of Science in Education in 1976.  In the beginning, Carol had taught at Norwalk St. Paul High School for a few years where she had also been the girls tennis coach and later the first boys head coach for the Varsity tennis team. She went on to teach at Perkins High School, in Sandusky, OH for 34 years, retiring in 2010.  During her tenure at Perkins High School she was an assistant for the boys Varsity tennis team and later became the first female head coach in the State of Ohio for the boys Varsity tennis team.  She also was the Advisor for the Academic Challenge Team for 10 years, the head of the Intramural Sports Program and was the Class Advisor of the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes for many years. In 2005, she was recipient of the "Woman of Excellence" Award.

   Carol loved being with her family, cooking, traveling and especially being around others in a variety of outings and functions.

   She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the Italian-American Beneficial Club and past president, and the American Business Women Association.

   Carol is survived by two daughters, Angela (Dan) Kurtz and Rosalyn Ahner, both of Sandusky; two sons, Scot (Jodie) Smith of Kelleys Island and Rick (Melissa) Smith of Cicero, Indiana; and daughter-in-law, Christine (Dahs) Smith; 15 grandchildren, Carol (Clay) Whidden, Gina Kurtz and Brian Kurtz, Daniel Ahner, Michael (Samantha) Ahner, Janie Ahner and David Ahner, Anne Smith, Carmen (Gbenga) Banjoko, Nick, Katie, and Liz Smith, Hannah (Matt) Gundlach, Samantha and Jacob Smith; 10 great-grandchildren, Aryanna, Tim, Isabell, William, Jack, Wes, Cecelia, Caleb, Evelyn and Odin; her sister, Donna Kelley and T.K.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 66 years, Richard A. "Dick" Smith on September 24, 2025; a son, Christopher P. "Chris" Smith (2012); a son-in-law, Tim Ahner; two sisters, Grace Brammer (2018)and a sister in infancy; and brother, Joseph Barone (1988).

   Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 4-7 pm at the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  Prayers will be recited Friday morning, January 16, 2026, at 9:40 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  Fr. Chris Turner officiating.  Entombment will be at the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, Sandusky.

   The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, 210 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106.

   Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Carol's family at davidfkoch.com.

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