Carol Smith Obituary

Carol A. Smith

Aug 15, 1938 - Jan 10, 2026

Huron

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

Born August 15, 1938, in Sandusky, 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 bachelor's in education in 1972 and a master's in education in 1976. In the beginning, Carol taught at Norwalk St. Paul High School for a few years, where she also served as the girls' tennis coach and later as the first boys' varsity tennis head coach. She went on to teach at Perkins High School in Sandusky 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 was the advisor for the Academic Challenge Team for 10 years, the head of the Intramural Sports Program, and a class advisor for the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes for many years. In 2005, she was the 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, Italian-American Beneficial Club and past president, and 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, 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 a brother, Joseph Barone (1988).

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026, at David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. Prayers will be recited Friday morning, January 16, 2026, at 9:40 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. Fr. Chris Turner officiating. Entombment will be at 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’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or 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.