Duane E. Smith

Duane E. Smith, age 60, of Eaton, OH passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. He was born on July 28, 1965 in Middletown, OH.

Duane graduated from Eaton High School in 1983. He was employed at Neaton Auto Products for nearly 30 years, and most recently worked for Silfex in Eaton. He coached his sons in peewee football, baseball and YMCA basketball. He was a diehard Bengals, Buckeyes and Reds fan, and was an avid collector of sports memorabilia. He was a member of the Lewisburg Community of Faith Church.

He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Patricia and Vern Hickman; father-in-law Carl G. Willeford; nephew William “Billy” Smith; great-nephew Jordan Riley Hall; and several special aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife Anita (Willeford) Smith of Eaton; sons Brian (Tesha) Smith of West Alexandria, Devin (Taylor) Smith of Eaton, Trey (Kaitlyn) Smith of Eaton and Brayden Smith of Eaton; stepsons Cole Johnson of West Manchester and Kyle Johnson of New Paris; grandchildren Victoria Smith, Julian and Callen Smith, Charlotte Smith, and Elliana and Adaleigh Johnson; father Ed (Jane) Smith of Sturgis, SD; siblings Jennifer Ward of Eaton, Alan (Melissa) Smith of West Alexandria, OH, Jill Hines of Camden and Greg (Jodi) Smith of Eaton; mother-in-law Barbara (Carl) Rismiller of Union City, OH; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; former wife and mother of Brian, Cathy (Stall) Monaco; former wife and mother of Devin and Trey, Pamela (Wiegand) Weaver; and canine companions Bow and Blu.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 4:00pm until time of funeral service at 7:00 pm at Gard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 226 West Main Street, Eaton, OH with Pastor Justin Wiegand officiating. The family encourages everyone to wear Bengal colors or attire to the service, as Duane would’ve wanted.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Humane Society of Preble County, 951 S. Barron Street, Eaton, OH 45320. Online condolence and other remembrances may be sent by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.