Caryl J Smenner

Caryl Jean Smenner, age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 surrounded by her family in Sylvania, Ohio. Caryl was born August 19, 1933 in Toledo, Ohio to Carl and Ruth Schwartz. Caryl met the love of her life Dick on a blind date in 1954. After he completed his service in the US Navy, they were joined in marriage on June 4, 1955, and between 1957 and 1965 Dick and Caryl welcomed four children. Caryl was a dedicated mother and housewife while supporting Dick as he built his real estate career in Toledo. Caryl was a past member of Grace Lutheran Church where she would frequently be found toiling away with the other volunteers in the church kitchen preparing numerous meals. She was also a long-time member of Olivet Lutheran Church, where she and Dick sang in the church choir. In addition to keeping order in the household and supporting Dick’s career, she volunteered for many years at the Manor House helping complete their traditional Christmas decorations for public tours. Caryl was a gourmet cook who loved to entertain and hosted countless parties for friends and family over the years. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She enjoyed all of the family vacations, especially to Siesta Key Florida, Alaska and northern Michigan. As Dick’s First Mate on their boat, Red Snapper, she had more than her share of fun boating adventures around the Great Lakes and helped Dick navigate between Ohio and Florida on several occasions. Caryl was a member of the Catawba Island Club, Put-in-Bay Yacht Club, The Crew’s Nest, Rockwell Springs Trout Club and past member of the Toledo Yacht Club. Caryl and Dick were also fortunate enough to experience some wonderful time away together in their later years to Aruba, the Virgin Islands, Caribbean and Europe. Caryl was a huge Ohio State buckeyes fan, watching any game involving OSU and had the Buckeye fight song as her phone ring tone. Caryl is survived by her brother David (Maria) Schwartz; Children, Rick (Leslie) Smenner, Tammy (Patrick) Meridieth, Vicki (Jim) Bender, and Bruce (Wendy) Smenner; Grandchildren Christopher (Ainslee) Bender, Nicole (Chris) McKenzie, Matthew Bender, Wesley Smenner, Conor Smenner, Lindsey (Chris) Rios, Kati (Ben) Cumberland, and Calli (Spencer) Berman; as well as 5 great grandchildren. Caryl was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years Richard “Dick” Smenner, parents Carl & Ruth Schwartz and her twin brother Carl Schwartz. Visitation for Caryl will be at Walker Funeral Home on Sunday April 25th between 4:00pm and 7:00pm. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Children’s Hospital.