Thelma Maxine Smittle, 94, formerly of Ada and Westerville, Ohio, died October 2, 2024, at Blanchard Valley Hospital, Findlay, OH of natural causes. 

Maxine was born on January 10, 1930, outside of Cadiz, in Harrison County, Ohio, to Beulah E. (Birney) and Glenn Fletcher Wells. On August 27, 1955, she married Jack D. Smittle, and he survives at Provision Living, Findlay, OH.

 Maxine is also survived by her son David (Kim) of Ada, sister, Becky (Frank) Martino of St. Clairsville, brother Carl Sonny (Carol) Wells of Grove City, brother-in-law Bill (Linda) Smittle of Jefferson City, MO, and sisters-in-law Glenna Wells of Cadiz and Ruth Wells of Jewett; grandson, Doug Smittle (Anthony Lucano) of North Hollywood, CA, granddaughter, Ellen Smittle (Nelson Diaz) of Queens, NY, grandson, Evan Smittle (Morgan Chilton) of Westlake, nieces Dianne Wells of Jewett, Janice (David) Lennox of Gahanna, Pam (Rick) Howell of Scio, Michelle (Scott) Jansen of Jefferson City, and Deborah (Scott) Kovaks of St. Louis, and nephews Steve (Debbie) Wells of Cadiz, Paul (Pat) Wells of New Philadelphia, Jim Birney of Pataskala and Brian Smittle of Austin, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Joan Wells and Irma (Bob) Stewart, brothers, Charles Wells and Ross Wells; sister-in-law, Linda Stevenson Smittle, nieces, Patty Birney, Kathy Fry, Stacey Vargo and nephew, Jeff Wells. 

Maxine was a devoted wife, mother and friend to many. She graduated from Cadiz High School in 1947 and attended business coursework at Kent State University. She was executive secretary to the Board of Education for the Harrison then Jefferson County superintendents.

She was a member of Mary Circle of United Methodist Women, Church of the Messiah, and Cornelia Chapter of Ohio Child Conservation League (OCCL), where she held local and state offices. She and Jack were members of several MG sports car clubs and organizations across Ohio and nationally. She was a spiritual woman, involved in the Church and Westerville community activities and volunteered for The Open Shelter in Columbus. 

Visitation will be held at Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State Street, Westerville, Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with a service at 1:30 p.m. followed by a light lunch and time of fellowship. The burial will take place in Blendon Central Cemetery, 6330 S. Hempstead Road., Westerville, Monday. 

In a spirit of charity, the family kindly requests memorial contributions instead of sending flowers. Please consider: Church of the Messiah (Zip code 43081) or The Open Shelter, 1037 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43206.

Arrangements are being handled by Moreland Funeral Home, Westerville.

Where there is family, there is love.