Gene U. Smith, 77, of Vermilion and formerly of Elyria passed away Friday at Mercy Community Health Partners in Lorain following a sudden illness. He was born April 10, 1934 in Elyria and was a lifelong Elyria area resident. Gene was employed at Columbia Gas in Elyria for 32 years, retiring as a regulator in 1990. He was a member of the Belden United Methodist Church, was a United States Navy veteran, served as secretary of the Elyria Eagles Aerie 431 for 24 years, was a 50 year member of the Vermilion Masonic Lodge 424, a member of V.F.W. Post 1079 in Elyria and he and his wife were known as Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus in Lorain County for many years. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Roberta, (nee-Knapp); 8 children; 17 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Paul J. Smith of Vermilion. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Regina Smith in 1978. The family will receive friends Friday 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57), Elyria. Services will be Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be at Ridgehill Memorial Park, Amherst Twp.. Memorial contributions may be made to the Belden United Methodist Church 36130 State Rt. 303 Grafton, OH. 44044. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com.. Service: 10:00 AM Saturday March 10, 2012 Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria, OH. Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM Friday March 9, 2012 Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria, OH.