LaVon Eldon Smith, 82 years, of Bryan, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at his home with his family at his side. Eldon was born May 22, 1932 in West Unity, Ohio, the son of the late Carl E. and Marie (Baltosser) Smith. He was a 1950 graduate of Bryan High School. Eldon was an Army veteran of Korean Conflict. He married Dorothy “Marlene” Drummond on September 24, 1954 in Bryan, and she survives. Eldon was a retired Project Engineer, for Anderson-Vreeland Company. He was better known as the “Bike Man” and owner of Smitty’s Bike Shop in Bryan for over 40 years. Eldon began the shop, known as Push-N-Pedal in the garage of his home with Ron Kerr. They renamed the shop as Sport-N-Pedal when they moved into their store in downtown Bryan. He was a member of First Lutheran Church, where he served on many committees and the Church Council. Eldon was also a member of the Bryan Kiwanis Club, Bryan American Legion Post 284, Bryan VFW Post 2984 and the Amvets Post 54. Eldon also served on the Williams County Veteran’s Commission for several terms as well as serving as a Center Township Trustee for 24 years. Eldon’s faith and work ethic were important to him. His interest included such hobbies as photography, woodworking, stained glass, playing in the Bryan City Band and visiting Elderhostels and researching genealogy. Eldon and Marlene had traveled to all 50 states and several foreign countries.
Surviving is his wife, Marlene of Bryan; three children, Melinda Smith of Ord, Nebraska, Pam (Tim) Lucas of Montpelier and Derrick (Brenda) Smith of Fort Wayne, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Maggie (Bruce) Conrad, Christopher (Katie) Bernt, Keldon Phillips, Shane Pitts, Molly (Andrew) Collert, Tyler (Stacey) Smith and Lucas (Courtney) Smith; six great grandchildren, Chet, Gracie, Natalie and Bozley Conrad, Addie and Ruby Bernt in addition to Baby Collert due in February 2015. Eldon was preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter, Amanda Jane Pitts.
Visitation for LaVon Eldon Smith will be held Friday, October 31, 2014 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home – Greenisen Chapel, 225 East High Street, Bryan. Funeral services for Eldon will begin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2014 at First Lutheran Church, 210 North Cherry Street, Bryan with Pastor Richard Franks officiating. Interment will follow in Brown Cemetery, Bryan with Military Graveside Honors conducted by a combined Honor Guard from the Bryan American Legion Post 284 and the Bryan VFW Post 2489. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to Community Health Professionals Hospice, 127 Blakeslee Avenue, Bryan, Ohio 43506, The Williams County Veterans Commission, 1425 East High Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506 or First Lutheran Church, 210 North Cherry Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506.
Condolences may be sent to the family or the online guest book may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com