Karen Sue Smitley, age 80, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in her residence.
Born on March 25, 1945, in Dover, Ohio Karen was a daughter of the late Elmer L. and Florence Warner Abel.
She was a 1963 graduate of Dover High School and on July 3, 1965 married Jerry Lee Smitley. Together the couple raised two children and shared in nearly 43 years of marriage prior to Jerry’s death on June 1, 2008.
Karen worked for nearly three decades for Park Village Health Care at Dover where she worked in the laundry and served as a nurse’s aide. She also worked for 10 years at the Dover Public Library as an Assistant Librarian.
Karen cherished time with her family—whether it was a holiday celebration or a simple get-together, she found joy in cooking and sharing meals around the table. She was known for her quick wit and generous spirit, which she extended not only to her loved ones but to everyone she met. A talented artist, Karen spent many years crafting and selling her handmade greeting cards at local craft shows. In her free time, she enjoyed the fellowship of friends at the Tuscarawas County Senior Center and was also known for her love of reading.
Karen will be missed by her children, Eric Smitley and Phyllis Smitley both of New Philadelphia and her granddaughter, Kaitlyn Noviski, and a great-grandson, Ashton Williams.
In keeping with Karen’s wishes, there will be no public services. The Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia is handling cremation care.
Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory
116 Second Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
www.geibfuneral.com
Geib Funeral Service
5600 North Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622
Geib Pet Crematory
5600 North Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622
Memorial contributions in Karen’s name may be directed to the Dover Public Library, 525 N. Walnut Street Dover, OH 44622.