Obituary of Ona Franklin Smith

Ona Franklin Smith, age 87, of Hammondsport, NY, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30, 2023 at the Bath VAMC.  He was born November 7, 1935 in Sugar Grove, West Virginia, the son of Roy and Mertie (Grogg) Smith, and  his West  Virginia accent still came back as soon as he crossed the border.  Mr. Smith was a US Air Force Veteran. While he was in the Air Force, he raced motorcycles in Japan and developed his love for motorcycles. Recently, he was fortunate enough to have family and friends arrange for him to go on one last ride.  He was a member of the Roswell-McDaniels American Legion Post 407 in Hammondsport, NY.  He had a love for country music, gardening and John Deere and Farmall Tractors.  But most important to him was the love of his family and his country.  

He was the beloved husband to his wife of 62 years Carol L. Smith, who predeceased him on 10/12/2019.  He is survived by his children; Carol M. Smith, Gary M. Smith, Deborah (Peter) Carlsen and Dawn Smith (Brian Hefler); grandchildren, Craig (Rebecca) Carlsen, Kristen (Jake) Hurd, David Smith, Brandi (Jason) Wahl, Jackie Hefler, Cole (Stephanie) Schehr and Kaylee (Trevor) Tuthill, nine great grandchildren;  sisters, Patricia Sacra (Jr.), Evelyn Varner and Leta Billiot, brother, Donnie (Judy) Smith and several nieces and nephews.  He was also predeceased by his infant daughter Jacqueline Kaye Smith and grandson Ryan Schehr.

Family and friends are invited to the funeral service with military honors on Monday July 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Fagan's Funeral Home in Bath, followed by the visitation until 4:00 pm at the funeral home.  Burial will be in the Bath National Cemetery on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 10:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Bath VA Medical Center who cared so lovingly for him throughout the years.