A longtime Findlay educator who shared his passion for the stars with generations of students has died.

LeEdwin “LeEddie” Carl Smith passed away on November 25 at the age of 78.

You can read his full obituary below from Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home.

LeEdwin “LeEddie” Carl Smith departed on November 25, 2025, in Findlay, Ohio, at the age of 78.

He was born on August 18, 1947, to Carl E. and Betty J. (Burke) Smith, who knew their hazel-eyed boy needed a less common first name. A man of science and exploration, LeEddie was a lifelong wonderer, shaped by Nebish vacations, hours of cowboy play with his siblings, and a six-month voyage in his early career to South America.

“Mr. Smith” brought his passion for the stars and the natural world to generations of students at Donnell Middle School, where he taught for 35 years. His sister-in-law stood in for him while he took his South American tour and remembers that students were genuinely unhappy to miss out on his instruction.

During his time at Donnell, he launched the school’s first wrestling program, coached track, and mentored younger teachers. He taught his future wife to frog gig on their very first date, and together they later became expert green bean snappers.

With friends and family, “Smitty” shared the best asparagus, tomatoes, and grape leaves, a fresh-caught perch, or a bite of game from his most recent hunt. He enjoyed a cold brew with his buddies at The Moose, Lucky’s or The West End.

He shared it all with his children — and taught his grandchildren, his “little turds,” how to mow, hunt, and fish off rocks and docks at the quarry or on Lake Erie. “Pa” or “Crappa” entertained them in the garage and garden, sugared them up with Sammie’s, and got them to really listen to the outdoors.

Our “Mr. Wizard” amazed us, and the community and loved ones who surrounded him made him proud.

LeEddie is preceded in death by his parents and sister Ann (Stephen) Franklin. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cynthia (Schmidt); daughter Adrienne (Brian) Mormino of Columbus, IN; son Josh (Keely) Smith of Ashland, OH; grandchildren Hunter and Wyatt Smith, and Max, Sam, and Tess Mormino; brother Mark D. (Phyllis Ann) Smith; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family, many of whom experienced him as their teacher or coach.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio. If you have it, please feel free to wear your camo and ball caps.

Donations in memory of LeEdwin Smith may be made to The University of Findlay https://give.findlay.edu/ with a designation, “Planetarium,” or the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Fund at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The James https://giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/316444.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at http://www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.

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