Russell G. Smith

Russell G. Smith, 92 of Chester passed away on Friday, May 25, 2018, at the Stone Pear Pavilion following a brief illness.

He was born in Twiggs, WV., in Pleasants County on March 4, 1926, a son of Melvin and Cora Givens Smith. Russ was raised by his grandmother, Eve Smith in Meadville, WV.

From a very young age, Russ worked in the oil and gas fields all over Ohio and West Virginia. He then started his own water drilling business, Smith Drilling, and later expanded into oil and gas wells, GOW Resources, in partnership with his son Russell E. Smith.

This was a great man whom a lot of people loved and respected. He was often called upon for his vast knowledge. Russ was a fifty-year member of the Free and Accepted Masons, New Cumberland Lodge #22. Also, he was a longtime member of the Chester First United Methodist Church where he was the treasure of the United Methodist Men and a member of the Crossroads Sunday School Class.

Preceding Russ in death was his wife of 70 years, Ruth M. Smith on January 27, 2017. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Viola Trough and Gladys Smith.

He is survived by two sons, Philip A. Smith and his wife Susan, and Russell E. “Rusty” Smith and his wife Janice, both of Chester; seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren, whom he loved and adored.

Pastor Kara Rowe will preside for funeral services at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester on Tuesday, May 29 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Locust Hill Cemetery where a Masonic Burial Ritual will be accorded. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the funeral home on Monday, May 28, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be offered to the Chester Methodist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association @act.alz.org/donate.

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