Dec 15, 2021

Dean Surls Smith, 73, of Bethany, W.Va., died peacefully on Friday, December 10, 2021, at Trinity Medical Center West.

In Christ alone, our hope is found. For Dean, this hope is now fully realized and experienced.

Born on May 4, 1948, in Washington, Dean was a son of the late Wilbur Smith and Virginia Cowden Smith Hudec, and stepfather, Rudolph Hudec.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Naoma Smith Sassler.

Dean graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1966. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, and was honorably discharged.

He retired from the Weirton Steel Corporation after working as an overhead crane operator for almost three decades.

Dean was an avid hunter and fly fisherman, and enjoyed being outdoors, while also co-owning and overseeing the Pike Vue Christmas Tree Farm with his brother Neal.

He was a member of the Washington Alliance Church, where he attended faithfully with his wife, Karen. Throughout his years at the church, Dean served in various roles, including elder, deacon, AWANA Commander, and greeter. He deeply loved his family, church, and community, and enjoyed connecting with people with a warm smile and genuine hug.

Surviving are his loving wife, Karen Kay Dahlberg Smith; five children, Travis (Virginia) Smith, of Roanoke, Va., Samuel Smith, of Albany, N.Y., James (Esther) Merrick, of Waxhaw, N.C., Ross (Danielle) Merrick, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Krista (Nathan) Gilson, of Lancaster, S.C.; his brother, Neal (Joan) Smith, of Wellsburg, W.Va.; two sisters, Ruth Brown, of Wellsburg, W.Va., and Jean (Daniel) Crago, of Hickory, N.C.; eight grandchildren with a ninth due in May 2022; along with several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 1 until 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, at the Mullenbach Funeral Home, 669 Main Street, Follansbee, W.Va.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Washington Alliance Church in Washington, at a later date in January.

Inurnment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Missions Fund at Washington Alliance Church in Washington, or to AWANA Clubs International.

Condolences may be sent to www.mullenbachfh.com.