Guinevere Lanning Smith

Guinevere Lanning Smith, 94, of Wapakoneta, died 5:40 a.m., Fri. Nov. 5, 2010, at her residence. She was born March 7, 1916, in Wapakoneta, the daughter of Vernon and Edna (Garling) Lanning, who preceded her in death. Her husband, John L. Smith preceded her in death in 1993. She was a 1933 graduate of Blume High School. She received a bachelors degree from Ohio Northern University, Ada, and a masters degree from Miami University. She worked for ten years as an elementary and physical education teacher in theWapakoneta, Medina, Ada, and Jackson Center schools. She also taught 27 years in the Wilmington City Schools as an English, history, and girls’ physical education instruction. Guinevere resided in Wilmington for 47 years where she served as president of the Wilmington Education Association and was a life member of the Clinton Co. Retired Teachers Assn. She was a charter member of the Wilmington Scholastic Achievement Council, a charter member of Twig 4 of the Clinton Co. Hospital where she volunteered for 20 years. She was a charter member of the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wilmington, where she served on many committees. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Wapakoneta. Her other memberships included Koneta Chapter #385 O.E.S., Wapakoneta, and the Wapakoneta Woman’s Club. She held life memberships in the Ohio Retired Teachers Assn., the National Retired Teachers Assn. and the Auglaize Co. Retired Teachers Assn. Survivors include a sister, Vernita (John) Mould, Oxford, OH, a niece, Serena (Brad) Harshbarger, Piqua, OH, and a nephew, Gary (Sue) Klingler, Lima, OH, and seven great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by 2 brothers and a sister-in-law, Alvin (Dorothea) Lanning, and Cordell Lanning, and 4 sisters and a brother-in-law, Alvina Lanning, Geneura Lanning, Louise Pepple, and Verna (William) Elliott. She was known as the “Hat Lady” because she wore a hat everywhere she went. At the time of her death she had over 50 hats. She will be sadly missed by her long time caregiver, Kathie Manns and her family, and many good friends. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Mon. Nov. 8, 2010, at First English Lutheran Church, Wapakoneta, Pastor Steven Nelson officiating. Burial is to follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta. The family will receive friends 2-5 p.m., Sun. at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta, and 1 hr. prior to the service, Mon. at the church. An Eastern Star memorial service will be 5 p.m., Sun. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the First English Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church, or the Auglaize Co. Humane Society.

Guinevere Lanning Smith

March 7, 1916 - November 5, 2010