Beatrice L. “Billie” Dunfee-Smigel, 89, of New Philadelphia, passed away on
Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the Inn at Northwood Village in Dover, following a
period of declining health. Born August 19, 1933, in Belle Valley, Ohio, she was the
only child of the late Charles C. and Aneda (Morellia) Richard.
After her graduation from Belle Valley High School in 1951, Billie earned her
bachelor’s degree, and later her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Kent State
University, which prepared her for her career as the librarian at Bowerston Public
Library and as a teacher at Conotton Valley Schools, as well as Buckeye JVS. She
lived in Bowerston for much of her life and had attended Trinity United Methodist
Church in Bowerston and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Philadelphia.
She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Mary (David) Roe, Clorinda “Rindy”
Brace, and Marsha (Greg) Graham; grandchildren, Amanda, Fred, Sarah, Christopher,
Marcus, and Maxwell; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Isabelle, and Scotty; stepdaughters,
Barbara (Richard) Letvin, Patricia (Joseph) Parisi, and Cathy (Bill) Work; and many
step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was
preceded in death by her first husband, Harold A. Dunfee; her second husband,
Bernard “Ben” Smigel; her aunts who had helped raise her, Christina Spade and Eileen
Jensen; and her dear cousin, Arthur “Bud” Larrick, who was like a brother to her.
Her memory will be honored at a 1 p.m. funeral on Monday, January 9, at the R. K.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison, where her family will receive callers for two hours
prior to the service. A private, family graveside service will be held at Longview
Cemetery in New Athens, Ohio, on a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made to Bowerston Public Library, P. O. Box 205, Bowerston, OH 44695.