Harold Wayne Smith

Harold Wayne Smith, 69 of West Salem, Ohio, went to be with his lord on August 19th, 2026. He was A loving husband, grandfather, and friend. He loved deeply and will be profoundly cherished in our memories.

Harold was born April 15 th , 1957, he grew up in the Village of West Salem, Ohio Where he spent most of his days hunting and fishing with his brother James, With Time he Graduated from Northwestern High School and assumed and important role in his Father’s business Smith and Sons molding him into a master mechanic and eventual owner, serving as a cornerstone of his community.

He met the love of his life 48 years ago, married for 44 years they loved to go fishing on Lake Erie, stay up late playing euchre with friends, and dancing the night away. He would spend leisure time with his family camping, where we would “eat like kings” our in the middle of nowhere, he knew how to cook everything just right. Harold was a true family man. Hunting for weeks with his son Wayne, taking moments to play games with his son Marcus, and taking his daughter Cassie out to get something special on her birthdays, but we all remember going out into the fields and wild to hunt for mushrooms with him. He was a religious man but practiced his beliefs with prudence. He would always say “My church is out there, In those woods”. He was truly a free man and lived his life with pure self-determination. 

Harold is survived by his devoted wife, Sheila Smith; his sister Karen Thurman, and brother James Smith; His children Wayne Smith Jr., Cassie and Todd Browand, and Marcus Smith; His beloved grandchildren Faith and Kendall Browand, and his many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. He is proceeded in death by his Parents Harold and Joyce Smith; and his sister Debra Kowatch.

Private services for immediate family and close friends will be held at West Salem Cemetery followed by a celebration of life Friday August 28 th , 6pm at Souls Harbor Apostolic Church (25 West Buckeye Street, West Salem, OH) with Pastor Samuel Ray officiating, we encourage everyone to bring stories and memories of Harold.

Our family would like to thank all individual donors, families, and our community that helped with this effort to honor Harold Smith.

The Matteson Funeral Home staff is honored to serve Wayne's family and the community.

 If you would like to share a photo or memory of Wayne with the family, please do so at mattesonfh.com.