Lonnie Gene Smithey, 61, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 2nd , 2026 in Lancaster, Ohio.
Lonnie was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Lonnie Joe and Betty Jean Smithey on August 18th, 1964. He attended school in Hampton Roads, enlisting in the United States Army in 1982 directly after school, serving with distinction in Korea and Iraq, receiving multiple awards and medals. He retired in 2015 as a Sergeant First Class.
In his retirement he traveled between Virginia and Ohio to be with his grandchildren and visit family. He was passionate about fishing, coaching, and his family. He coached football and wrestling for middle and high school, and loved mentoring and developing young people to be the best versions of themselves. He cared deeply for his large family full of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. His grandchildren were the light of his life.
He is preceded in death by his parents Lonnie Joe Smithey and Betty Jean Smithey, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Left to cherish his memory are his sons (and their spouses): Rogan Smithey (Savannah), Christopher Beasley (Amanda), and Tyler Middleton; brothers and sisters: William Smithey (Jennie), Stephen Smithey (Ann), and Carrie Smithey; nieces and nephews (and their children): Jesse Bent (Little Jesse), Krystyn King (Kymber and Kingstyn), Cody Smithey, Chloe Smithey, Amanda Smithey (Trinity and Nathaniel), James Smithey, Jeremy Miller, Kailyn Clark (Leigha), Andrew Smithey, Adam Smithey, Brandy Abbott, and Cheyenne Abbott; grandchildren Eloise Beasley, Grayson Beasley, Olivia Knippa, and Hudson Smithey; and many more.
Funeral Services will be held at 1300 (1:00 PM) on Saturday April 11th, 2026, at Altmeyer Funeral Home Chesapeake Chapel at 929 South Battlefield Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23322.
