Eugene F. Smith age 94 of Fairfield, Ohio passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2025, just prior of his 95th birthday. He was born in Middletown on July 31, 1930 to Francis and Mary (Meehan) Smith.
The most cherished day of his life was April 7, 1956, when he married Dolores M. Tanner at St. Ann Church in Hamilton. Dolores, his loving wife of 59 years, preceded him in death on June 2, 2015. Survivors include their four children; Tom Smith, Jim Smith, Suzanne Smith, Michele (L.V.) Semona; four grandchildren, Sierra Smith, Liza, Louie and Gabby Semona. Besides his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by a son, Terry Smith in 2001 and two sisters, Alice Sprague and Mary Margaret Smith.

Eugene, better known as Gene or Middie by friends was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Gene was deep in his faith. He and Dolores raised their 5 children in Fairfield and were active members of Sacred Heart Church for over 60 years. Gene coached basketball for Sacred Heart for 15 years and volunteered for Sacred Heart's St. Vincent de Paul Society.  He most enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf and watching the Reds, Bengals and Xavier Basketball. He also enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids compete in various sports and supported their interests. Gene also loved to read, do daily crossword puzzles and embraced the digital age through his iPad.

Gene attended Hamilton Catholic High School (1948), where he was a member of the basketball team. In 1948, his team was ranked number one in the state for much of the year. They ended up the State Runner-up at a time when there was only one division for high school sports.  He went on to play at Xavier University, graduating in 1952. At Xavier University, his basketball accomplishments included being the schools first 1,000 point scorer for his career, as well setting a single game scoring record of 45 points, which still stands as the third highest single game scoring total in Xavier basketball history.  After graduation, he was drafted to play basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers. However, he was also drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and accepted the responsibility to serve his country.  After being discharged from the Army, he played professional basketball for the NIBL Akron Goodyear Wingfoots, which started a career working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in various sales and management positions until his retirement in 1991.

Gene was a member of the Hamilton Elks #93, where played countless rounds of golf with friends and family. He had 4 Hole-in-ones with 3 of them being at the Elks Golf Club. He was runner-up several times for the Elks Club Championship and the Hamilton City Golf Championship. Gene continued playing golf until he was 90. He regularly shot his age, and even had an eagle when he was 90.
In recognition of Gene's basketball accomplishments, he was inducted in the Badin (Hamilton Catholic/Notre Dame) High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Butler County Sports Hall of Fame, Xavier University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.

Prayers will be offered Wednesday July 23, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 400 Nilles Rd. Fairfield, Ohio. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart St. Vincent de Paul Society. Online register book available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com

Eugene F. Smith age 94 of Fairfield, Ohio passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2025, just prior of his 95th birthday. He was born in Middletown on July 31, 1930 to Francis and Mary (Meehan) Smith.
The most cherished day of his life was April 7, 1956, when he married Dolores M. Tanner at St. Ann Church in Hamilton. Dolores, his loving wife of 59 years, preceded him in death on June 2, 2015. Survivors include their four children; Tom Smith, Jim Smith, Suzanne Smith, Michele (L.V.) Semona; four grandchildren, Sierra Smith, Liza, Louie and Gabby Semona. Besides his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by a son, Terry Smith in 2001 and two sisters, Alice Sprague and Mary Margaret Smith.

Eugene, better known as Gene or Middie by friends was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Gene was deep in his faith. He and Dolores raised their 5 children in Fairfield and were active members of Sacred Heart Church for over 60 years. Gene coached basketball for Sacred Heart for 15 years and volunteered for Sacred Heart's St. Vincent de Paul Society.  He most enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf and watching the Reds, Bengals and Xavier Basketball. He also enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids compete in various sports and supported their interests. Gene also loved to read, do daily crossword puzzles and embraced the digital age through his iPad.

Gene attended Hamilton Catholic High School (1948), where he was a member of the basketball team. In 1948, his team was ranked number one in the state for much of the year. They ended up the State Runner-up at a time when there was only one division for high school sports.  He went on to play at Xavier University, graduating in 1952. At Xavier University, his basketball accomplishments included being the schools first 1,000 point scorer for his career, as well setting a single game scoring record of 45 points, which still stands as the third highest single game scoring total in Xavier basketball history.  After graduation, he was drafted to play basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers. However, he was also drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and accepted the responsibility to serve his country.  After being discharged from the Army, he played professional basketball for the NIBL Akron Goodyear Wingfoots, which started a career working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in various sales and management positions until his retirement in 1991.

Gene was a member of the Hamilton Elks #93, where played countless rounds of golf with friends and family. He had 4 Hole-in-ones with 3 of them being at the Elks Golf Club. He was runner-up several times for the Elks Club Championship and the Hamilton City Golf Championship. Gene continued playing golf until he was 90. He regularly shot his age, and even had an eagle when he was 90.
In recognition of Gene's basketball accomplishments, he was inducted in the Badin (Hamilton Catholic/Notre Dame) High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Butler County Sports Hall of Fame, Xavier University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.

Prayers will be offered Wednesday July 23, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 400 Nilles Rd. Fairfield, Ohio. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart St. Vincent de Paul Society. Online register book available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com

Eugene F. Smith age 94 of Fairfield, Ohio passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2025, just prior of his 95th birthday. He was born in Middletown on July 31, 1930 to Francis and Mary (Meehan) Smith.
The most cherished day of his life was April 7, 1956, when he married Dolores M. Tanner at St. Ann Church in Hamilton. Dolores, his loving wife of 59 years, preceded him in death on June 2, 2015. Survivors include their four children; Tom Smith, Jim Smith, Suzanne Smith, Michele (L.V.) Semona; four grandchildren, Sierra Smith, Liza, Louie and Gabby Semona. Besides his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by a son, Terry Smith in 2001 and two sisters, Alice Sprague and Mary Margaret Smith.

Eugene, better known as Gene or Middie by friends was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Gene was deep in his faith. He and Dolores raised their 5 children in Fairfield and were active members of Sacred Heart Church for over 60 years. Gene coached basketball for Sacred Heart for 15 years and volunteered for Sacred Heart's St. Vincent de Paul Society.  He most enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf and watching the Reds, Bengals and Xavier Basketball. He also enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids compete in various sports and supported their interests. Gene also loved to read, do daily crossword puzzles and embraced the digital age through his iPad.

Gene attended Hamilton Catholic High School (1948), where he was a member of the basketball team. In 1948, his team was ranked number one in the state for much of the year. They ended up the State Runner-up at a time when there was only one division for high school sports.  He went on to play at Xavier University, graduating in 1952. At Xavier University, his basketball accomplishments included being the schools first 1,000 point scorer for his career, as well setting a single game scoring record of 45 points, which still stands as the third highest single game scoring total in Xavier basketball history.  After graduation, he was drafted to play basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers. However, he was also drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and accepted the responsibility to serve his country.  After being discharged from the Army, he played professional basketball for the NIBL Akron Goodyear Wingfoots, which started a career working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in various sales and management positions until his retirement in 1991.

Gene was a member of the Hamilton Elks #93, where played countless rounds of golf with friends and family. He had 4 Hole-in-ones with 3 of them being at the Elks Golf Club. He was runner-up several times for the Elks Club Championship and the Hamilton City Golf Championship. Gene continued playing golf until he was 90. He regularly shot his age, and even had an eagle when he was 90.
In recognition of Gene's basketball accomplishments, he was inducted in the Badin (Hamilton Catholic/Notre Dame) High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Butler County Sports Hall of Fame, Xavier University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.

Prayers will be offered Wednesday July 23, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 400 Nilles Rd. Fairfield, Ohio. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart St. Vincent de Paul Society. Online register book available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com

Eugene F. Smith age 94 of Fairfield, Ohio passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2025, just prior of his 95th birthday. He was born in Middletown on July 31, 1930 to Francis and Mary (Meehan) Smith.
The most cherished day of his life was April 7, 1956, when he married Dolores M. Tanner at St. Ann Church in Hamilton. Dolores, his loving wife of 59 years, preceded him in death on June 2, 2015. Survivors include their four children; Tom Smith, Jim Smith, Suzanne Smith, Michele (L.V.) Semona; four grandchildren, Sierra Smith, Liza, Louie and Gabby Semona. Besides his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by a son, Terry Smith in 2001 and two sisters, Alice Sprague and Mary Margaret Smith.

Eugene, better known as Gene or Middie by friends was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Gene was deep in his faith. He and Dolores raised their 5 children in Fairfield and were active members of Sacred Heart Church for over 60 years. Gene coached basketball for Sacred Heart for 15 years and volunteered for Sacred Heart's St. Vincent de Paul Society.  He most enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf and watching the Reds, Bengals and Xavier Basketball. He also enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids compete in various sports and supported their interests. Gene also loved to read, do daily crossword puzzles and embraced the digital age through his iPad.

Gene attended Hamilton Catholic High School (1948), where he was a member of the basketball team. In 1948, his team was ranked number one in the state for much of the year. They ended up the State Runner-up at a time when there was only one division for high school sports.  He went on to play at Xavier University, graduating in 1952. At Xavier University, his basketball accomplishments included being the schools first 1,000 point scorer for his career, as well setting a single game scoring record of 45 points, which still stands as the third highest single game scoring total in Xavier basketball history.  After graduation, he was drafted to play basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers. However, he was also drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and accepted the responsibility to serve his country.  After being discharged from the Army, he played professional basketball for the NIBL Akron Goodyear Wingfoots, which started a career working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in various sales and management positions until his retirement in 1991.

Gene was a member of the Hamilton Elks #93, where played countless rounds of golf with friends and family. He had 4 Hole-in-ones with 3 of them being at the Elks Golf Club. He was runner-up several times for the Elks Club Championship and the Hamilton City Golf Championship. Gene continued playing golf until he was 90. He regularly shot his age, and even had an eagle when he was 90.
In recognition of Gene's basketball accomplishments, he was inducted in the Badin (Hamilton Catholic/Notre Dame) High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Butler County Sports Hall of Fame, Xavier University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.

Prayers will be offered Wednesday July 23, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 400 Nilles Rd. Fairfield, Ohio. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart St. Vincent de Paul Society. Online register book available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com