Bruce Blaine Smitley

Bruce “Blaine” Smitley passed away peacefully January 23rd, at the age of 89. Blaine enjoyed home building and remodeling projects. He was employed by BF Goodrich and Republic Steel Storage Systems. He received recognition for his patented design of their storage product called “Wedgelock”. After retiring from Republic Steel, he and his wife Norma Jean became entrepreneurs and opened “Stampland”, a Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook store in Columbus, OH.

Blaine is preceded in death by his high school sweetheart, Norma Jean (Greenwell), sister, Bernice Hall, and first-born, Jay C. Smitley, and granddaughter, Hannah.

He is survived by his brother, Lee Smitley of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; children, Belinda (Bee) Chufar (Greer, SC) Christopher L. Smitley (Westerville, OH), Jerry B. Smitley (North Canton, OH), Jeffrey S. Smitley, and Timothy A. Smitley (Bluffton, SC). 

He and his memorable one-liners will be greatly missed. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Heritage Villas independent living facility for the care they provided Blaine these past 10 years. 

Condolences and special memories of Blaine can be shared with his family online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com.