Megan Elizabeth Smith
Megan Elizabeth Smith, age 17, of Shelby, died unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep at her home on Thursday, January 8, 2015.
Megan was born on November 14, 1997 in Galion, Ohio to John Patrick and Tamara Lynn (Gilbert) Smith. Megan attended Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Grade School in Bethlehem where she met lifelong friends, Laura and Tamara Metzger. She was currently a very active member of the Shelby Senior High School Class of 2016. Megan loved to sing and was extremely talented. She used her talents to participate in anything musical including talent shows, being a member of the SHS Chamber Choir, and participated in anything she could with Shelby Whippet Theater. Her most recent productions included Beauty and the Beast and the Wizard of Oz and she was looking forward to participating in High School Musical this spring. As an athlete, Megan played city league softball where her team went to the championship the past two years. She also played volleyball for five years, had been a member of the track team, and was currently a wrestling statistician for the SHS Wrestling Team. Megan was the 2013 Shelby Bicycle Days Queen an award which perfectly described her beauty inside and out.
A friend of the family recently posted these thoughts in reflection of Megan’s life which are paraphrased here. “Megan was such a special girl who was loved by everyone. She was so beautiful and sweet inside and out. I doubt she had any enemies at all ever. She loved life and was such a people person. You would always see her in the front row of the “Red Rage” at the basketball games. And she always was cheering on our Whippets at the football games. We don’t know why these things happen but we just need to trust in God that he had a better plan for this beautiful 17 year old girl.”
Megan will be missed so very much by all who knew and loved her, including: her parents: John and Tami Smith of Shelby; 3 brothers: Ryan and Rachel Smith of Columbus; Jason Smith of Shelby; Sean and Rachele Smith of North Canton; a niece: Olivia Smith; 2 nephews: Caleb and Eli Smith; a baby niece/nephew she would have met in July 2015; paternal grandmother: Jean Smith of Ontario; maternal grandparents: Richard and Elizabeth Gilbert of Haines City, FL; aunts and uncles: Dana (Diane) Gilbert, Jim Smith, Joe (Kristie) Smith, Julie (Chuck) Zeisler; numerous cousins, other relatives and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, James Smith, and an uncle who died at infancy, Davey Gilbert.
Friends and family are welcome on Sunday, January 11, 2015 from 1-7 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a wake service will be held at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 10 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 5750 State Route 61 South, Shelby, with Fr. Christopher Bohnsack officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Shelby Helpline, 29 ½ Walnut Street, Shelby.
To share a memory or express a condolence, please visit: penwellturner.com
My heart hurts so badly for all of you…Megan was such a sweet young lady and it was an honor to know her. May you fly high on wings of gold Megan!
Praying for Megan’s family and friends. Our family has enjoyed watching her on our daughters softball team, for the last three years. She was such a firecracker on that field, and we never knew where she was going to pop out out there! My 5 year old son, always called her his “girlfriend”. He said he will miss her this summer. Rest easy, Megan- and fly high.
John, Tammy, Dick and Libby,
So so very sorry for your loss. I remember when Tom passed the Priest said it
was one thing to lose a parent but no one can ever understand the loss of a child.
Our prayers, thoughts and love are with you
Ann Imhoff and family
My thoughts and prayers to your family. I am deeply saddened by this news. I didn’t know Megan but the way you spoke of her I could tell the joy that she brought to your family.
I am sorry to hear of this young lady passing way to soon. My brother also passed a year ago and was only 18. May you find a way to get through this tragedy. Rip Megan
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. May God grant you with some sort of peace during this difficult time. I did not know Megan, but heaven surely gained a beautiful angel. I’ll say and extra prayer to my brother, who is also in heaven, and I am without a doubt positive that he will greet her with a smile and welcoming arms.
i am so sorry for your loss. I did not know Megan, I just read about her and she sounds like a sweet caring young lady that died to young. I am so sorry
To Megan’s family,
I offer up my deepest condolences over the loss of Megan. I met Megan this year as her school counselor at SHS. She instantly struck me as a sweet, vibrant, inquisitive, sincere, and conscientious young woman. Subsequent interactions with her proved my first impression was correct. To add to that, she had one of those 100 watt smiles! I can’t imagine the pain you must be experiencing, but I hope you can take some comfort in knowing how much she is loved and will be missed by so many people.
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Edie Lerback
Smith family,
My deepest sympathies to your family on the loss of Megan. I remember her from when I had the paper route on your street and from when she played softball with my sister, Chelsea. She was always such a nice girl.
Take care,
Blake Ridenour
John and Tami,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I remember Megan dancing around with the two of you at my wedding. I believe she was about 2 or 3 yrs old at the time. She was so cute.
May God comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
Megan was one of my true friends.. she helped me through depression and made my life better every day at school. I remember when we met and when we sat by eachother everyday in 9th grade.. (met in 7th)megan always had a smile on her face and she always knew how to cheer a peraon up. Megan always sang around me. Personally i would say she had a beautiful voice. Megan was very smart. Last school year before i moved we had many projects together and she always helped me understand the content. I’ll always remember our memories together. Best wishes to family and friends.
So sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers for family & friends of Megan. Such a beautiful girl. My heart goes out to her family. Rest in peace Megan.
I am so sorry for your loss. Having coached Megan for three years in softball I really got to know her, What an amazing kid. She was one of a kind and will be truly missed. May God be with your family at this difficult time.
My sincere sympathy to you all. Prayers to all of you during this difficult time.
My heart is broken. I can see Megan’s face as she sat in my class and her smile would light up the world. Heaven has definitely gained a beautiful angel. My condolences go out to the Smith family which I have know for years. Our prayers and thought are with you.
To the Smith Family ,
I was so shocked to read of the death of ur beautiful daughter Megan. May God wrap his arms around you n your family during this difficult time n the days to come . Hugs to u all.
Linda Stentz
I’m sorry so for your loss…I didn’t know Megan but my son did ….she was always so nice to him and understanding of his epilepsy issues . prayers for all of you during your time of grief. RIP Megan
My deepest sympathy goes to the entire Smith family. I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. What a beautiful young woman Megan was. May she be singing with the angels tonight and forever.
I Wish heaven had a phone so I could call & check on you , to make sure you made it safely . But I kno Gods happy he gained you . From your bright smile , to your beautiful voice . Why wouldn’t he be happy to have you with him ? Even thou we didn’t kno each other that long , but from the first day you started to work at American eagle wit me I knew you was going to become a very good friend of mine . I was so upset wit you when you told me you was quitin but we didn’t let that stop the communication between us . Heaven couldn’t wait for you , fly high Megan , high as you can . Goodbye for now but I’ll see you later . To the smith family and all of her friends I’m praying for each and everyone who are hurting from this . God gained a beautiful angel .
No words can express our sympathy for your loss. Such a sweet child. Ever in your hearts. Just know she left memories for so many. That doesn’t seem to explain real well how we feel. We’re thinking of you.
Our deepest condolences and prayers for you in this time of loss. Our hearts go out to all. Love from all the family in Maryland.
Megan was always positive and there for me and the team after every wrestling match. Being one of the first people to congratulate me on a win, and pick me up after a loss. I will be wrestling for Megan for the remainder of my senior year. My prayers go out to the Smith family.
we didn’t know Megan but our grandson Andy Gies & from that he’s said she was a beautiful girl inside & out. Just wanted to tell you & your family that you are in our thoughts & prayers. Meagan , I’m sure is in heaven at peace, with no pain or suffering. She’s in God’s Choir now & in His loving care. rIP Megan
No words can ever express the hurt and sympathy we feel for you and your family. This is not the way it should be, for your heart will always ache for her. Her smile, laughter and her love for you all will forever be with you. Know that we and many are thinking and praying for you and your family during the difficult days ahead. God bless.
Thoughts and prayers are with you all, at these most difficult of times. RIP you beautiful angel.
Words cannot express our deepest sympathy over the loss of sweet, beautiful Megan. May God wrap His arms around you and give you peace and comfort. You are in our prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Even our Hannah has found memories of Meagan when lived next to us. May God be with you and your family.
Such a shock to be told of your beautiful Megan, a beautiful and talented young woman. As the word is being spread here in Canton, please know the message is received with much sadness. Many prayers are being sent your way with love and may your faith in God help sooth your sorrow. Love, Grandma Beitzel
The shock tore through our hearts the day we found out of Megan’s passing. We watched her grow into a beautiful girl at Sacred Heart and now she is a beautiful soul in heaven. Celebrating the same birthday as our son Blake, we always joked that they would get married someday. Now we will celebrate your birthdays in honor of you Megan. We love and will miss your beautiful smile in church. Hugs to your family and God Bless
John & Tami,
Sue and I want to extend our deepest sympathies to you in your loss of Megan. Unfortunately too many years have gone by that I did not know you had a daughter.
Please find comfort in knowing you are in our thoughts and prayers. Also, God does promise comfort through his son and our Savior.
Dave and Sue Foote
John, Tammi and boys, so very sorry for your loss. I will be praying for all of you. May God hold you close. Love you
Dear Smith Family: My heart is breaking with the news of the passing of your beautiful young daughter and sister. I cannot even imagine the depth of pain and sorrow you are going through.
May you feel the loving embrace of God guiding you, as you all journey down this difficult path of loss and grief in the days, months, and years to come, and may wonderful memories of Megan bring smiles to your faces when you need them most. Megan will forever be a bright shining star in your sky.
My deepest condolences –
Conny Fiala
Tami & John, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John, Tami and Family
We are so very sorry for your loss. There are simply no words to describe your loss. May you all find the inner strength to endure the times to come to help each and everyone of you through this most difficult time. Megan was just simply “special” in so many ways and everyone that knew her loved her for all of her wonderful talents and gifts. She will be truly missed. Watching her grow from a little girl to a wonderful young woman has been such a pleasure for us and we will truly miss her smile. Our many thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the days to follow.
John & Tami,
I was so shocked to learn of your loss. You have my condolences. I shall be praying to God for your comfort and strength.
John A. Guisinger II
My heart aches for the Smith family at the loss of your beautiful daughter. I, of course, did not know her, but my twin nieces are her dear friends and they are heart broken over her loss. We have all gained another Angel to watch over us. RIP, Megan!
Me and Megan never really talked much at all but my prayers r with her family! She was a good girl! Rest in peace Megan!
To John Tamara and sons,
We met all of your family at Sean’s wedding to our niece Rachele. I remember Megan,friendly and full of life. She appeared to be loved and spoiled by her brothers and family. I remember her singing and dancing at the reception and friendly and kind to everyone. To Sean, I am so sorry that God took ur little sister so soon but remember that you will now have your own guardian angel. We send all of our love and prayers to you and your family. Love Aunt Lynn, Gordon and your Florida family.
John& Tammi,
My family will be praying god gives you comfort during this time. I didn’t know Megan personally, but my daughter did and was saddened to hear of her passing. So sorry for your loss. God Bless
To The Smith Family,
Though we have never met Megan we are sure she was a very special daughter. It is always so sad to hear when someone this young with so much to offer this world is gone. But we all know God has a special place for Megan. May God Bless the Smith and Gilbert families.
The Newell’s
Powell, Ohio
Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time
Tami and family,
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. I look at her beautiful face and see so much of you in her, Tami. Know she is in a beautiful place and you will all see her again some day.
I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I did not know her but have known the Gilbert family most of my life. My prayers are with your family that God will carry you through this.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family on the loss of Megan. May God surround you with comfort & understanding to get through.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Megan’s friends and family. It is heartbreaking when we lose such a bright light so early. I hope everyone is able to find the community and the support they need to begin the journey of healing. While I’m not able to be there in person, I hold you all in my heart and send as much Love and light as I can during this time.
John, Tammy, Ryan, Jason & Sean
My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
John &Tammy – I remember when Megan was born and knew she was a Blessing to your family of 3 sons. I am sure she brought about such joy to your family as well as to the Parish and Community. We have no idea what Gods plans are for us but can bet she is an angel in heaven today. May your Faith give you the strength to get through this difficult time.
Dear Smith family,
I was so terribly sorry to hear of the loss of our wonderful friend of the whole family, Megan.
Oh Megey-poo, I will never forget the countless times that you came to our house over the years to see Laura and Tamara. I always enjoyed teasing you, but we both knew that I always liked seeing you around. My sisters are having a terribly difficult time coping with this, and I know it’s because they lost not only their best friend, but another sister. We all love you and miss you, though we know you’re in a better place now. P.s, now that you’re in heaven, be sure to say hi to Grandma Metzger, who I know you used to see a lot with my sisters.
Tami, John, & family
I wanted to share with everyone a card that I found to send to you.
“A rose has bloomed in Heaven, its fragrance fills the air, it grows in God’s own garden, it’s nurtured by His care. A rose has bloomed in Heaven and whenever loved ones part, they blossom forth in memories in the gardens of our heart.” Megan truly blossomed into a beautiful young lady whose beauty and fragrance will remain forever in your hearts.
Tami and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Nothing we say will make it ok but know that we will lift you up in prayer and my heart goes out to you. With deepest sympathy.
Tami my prayers are with you and your family,during this sorrowful time. Megan was a beautiful young lady and blessing to all. She will be missed by many.
John,
I never met your daughter…but know this past summer when we ran into one another you told me about her and how proud of her you were.It sounds like she was such a beautiful young person. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and wanted you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless you,
Arch & Pauline Eaton
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your beautiful daughter, Megan. We are thinking of all of you and extend prayers at this time. Dave and Carmee Ross of TN.
So sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Heaven has gained a special Angel!
Our prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. Everything happens for a reason and sometimes we never know what those reasons are. Meg was such a beautiful girl inside and out. She is a angel watching over everyone now.
Such a pleasure to have made the acquaintance of your daughter; very vivacious young woman whom it was easy to see where she gained her character, perspective, and infectious smile from. Know that she spread the love that your family shares. Much Love, and peace to you ~Victoria (Aurand) Lieb and Muriel Aurand.
We are so sorry for your loss. We are and will continue to pray for your family. May God uphold you through your sorrow.
John, Tami and family,
Please know that you are and will be in our thoughts and prayers throughout the days ahead. May you find the strength and peace needed to comfort you in some little way each day. Our sympathy and love to all of you. May God give you peace that passes all understanding.
Dear Sean,
We share in your sadness and grief at the loss of your sister so unexpectedly. Although her life was short, she had a very positive impact with her friends, family, school, and church. A life to be celebrated. We must trust in God that he had other plans for her.
Sincerely,
Robert Pugh
Aqua Ohio
Our thoughts & prayers go out to your family in your loss of your beautiful daughter, Megan!
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you! May God’s love comfort you! Megan touched a lot of hearts!
Ive known Megan for the past couple of years . We were on the same softball team for the past 2 years . I was speechless when I found out she passed . She was the most outgoing person ive ever met . She always had a smile on her face and it seemed contagious . I miss you Megan .. More than words can explain . Cant wait to see you again some day . Love you beautiful . Rest easy <3
Dearest Tami,
My heart breaks for you. Please know I am praying that you and your family will be enveloped in divine peace and comfort.
Cindy (Borgelt) Houpt
My sincere sympathy goes out to the family of Megan. I did not know Megan, but my father Jim worked with Dick at the tuby. I read the article about Megan, when her father said they passed a homeless man and Megan, insisted her dad turn around and give them money. Wow, sounds like Megan was an outstanding young woman !!!!! : ), that you can be forever proud, there is only a short time until we meet our loved ones again,,,,i believe. Like Ann Imhoff said, to lose a child has to be the hardest. “Put your weary hearts in the arms of the Lord” “Megan, may your EVER loving heart come down in spirit and comfort your family” God bless the Smith and Gilbert family! AMEN
I did not know Megan or any of your family, but I send my condolences and prayers for your comfort.