Joy C. Smith-Creech

Joy C. Smith-Creech, age 80 of Fairfield Twp., went to see our Lord and Savior on November 1st, 2021, at Mercy West Hospital following a heart procedure. Joy was born in Hamilton, Ohio on November 2, 1940 to Ralph Edward Schlabach and Alice Louise (Muthert) Schlabach.

Joy married James L. Smith on Nov. 9th, 1968, had 3 children, and then started her professional career at First National Bank as a key punch operator followed by Champion Papers in Hamilton where she retired from.  After a short break, she continued her work journey to Corporate Express where again she retired from.  After the passing of James on April 20th, 2004, she rekindled a high school courtship of Melvin Vincent Creech and was married to until his passing on July 6th, 2021.  Joy was a devout Catholic, loving wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, and aunt who enjoyed life to its fullest.  Joy’s life was filled with activities such as singing in the Schlabach band, attending multiple dances, playing cards, and always a very independent woman on the move.

Joy is survived by her 3 children; James E. (Kelly) Smith, Jeffrey S. (Chrissie) Smith and Julie L. (Brian) Crosen; grandchildren; Nick (Alicia) Smith, Nathan (Jordan) Smith, Stacey (Mike) MacDonald, Sarah Smith (Fiance Robert Pittman), Zachary (Brittany) Smith, Jennifer Bolton, Katie Crosen, Bella Crosen, David Crosen; Kellanna (Josh) Shattuck, Kirian Estes, Korina Armes, Karma Armes, great grandchildren; Lane, Mia, Ivy, Bryan, Kallee, Jameson, Onyx, Lyric, Leelan, and Lena who will be here in February. Joy was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, Howard, Richard, Kenny, and Ralph Schlabach, 2 sisters Charlotte Ruhl and Diane Waters and husbands James Smith and Melvin Creech.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to:

Servant Heart Haiti Mission can be sent via this link: https://www.servantshearthaitimission.org/

OR

Parachute Butler County : https://www.parachutecasa.org/

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 400 Nilles Rd., Fairfield, Ohio, on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Larry Tharp of Sacred Heart Catholic Church celebrant.  Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Ave., Hamilton, OH 45013.