Eula Lee Smerglia
August 29, 1925 – July 26, 2018
Born and raised in the coal-mining town of Northfork, West Virginia on August 29, 1925, Eula has always been a force to be reckoned with. As Miss Koppers Coal Queen of 1942 in McDowell County, she became a Bobbie Brooks model and the world beyond opened up for her. She met the love of her life, Leo Smerglia, at a USO dance and married him in 1943. Leo, serving in the army, was sent off to the European front shortly after the birth of their first child.
On his return from WWII, this couple became a dynamic duo built on family love and an intense work ethic. They raised their four children while running Smerglia’s Delicatessen in Cleveland, Ohio. There were many adventures ahead, always focused around family and serving others. Eula served as an Eastern Star and held numerous positions in her church community. Their story took them to Akron, Ohio where Leo once again began his own business, All Gas Products. Together they bought Akron Testing and Welding School, which is still running today, managed by their son. Far ahead of her time, Eula became the Director of AT&W and was featured in an article in the American Welding Society Magazine as a ground-breaking female welder.
Her passion for genealogy led her to investigate the family background of the Inscores who arrived in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia in the 1630s. Her research provided her the opportunity to join the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Confederacy. She served the UDC as President of the Sarah Ann Elizabeth Smith Chapter #2432 in Daytona Beach for five years. Eula and Leo were supporting members of the VFW Post #4319. Ormond Beach. Eula also served as Secretary for the Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars. She did all this while running a successful flower shop, Flowers By Eula, in Ormond Beach, FL. Riverview United Methodist Church, where she held numerous positions, was her home church for more than 30 years.
Spending her final years at Riviera Senior Living Ceneter, Eula is survived by children: Larry (Virginia), Gary (Darcy), Karen Rugerio (Susan Porro), Nancy Sturm (the late Ronald), grandchildren: Robin (Rodney) Caldwell, Lauren (Charles) Seifert, Richard (Kimberly) Smerglia, Valicia (Larry) Spears, Valentin (Jennifer) Rugerio, Ronald (Christine) Sturm Jr., Lane Smerglia, Sara Sturm, John (Bridget) Smerglia, and Kathleen (Romick) Acon. Great-grandchildren: Stephen (Isabella) Caldwell, Sharon Caldwell, Lea Rugerio, Sophia Rugerio, Danial Cain, Brandon Smerglia, Leo Smerglia, Isis Sturm, Leo Rugerio, Mia Rugerio, Leo Spears, Joseph Smerglia, Ronald Sturm III, Samuel Smerglia, Augustin Sturm, Maximus Acon, Louis Sturm.
A Celebration of Eula’s Life will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1014 N. Halifax Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, at 1:00pm with Father Philip Egitto officiating.
Memorial contributions in Eula’s name are suggested to Riverview United Methodist Church, 2253 John Anderson Dr., Ormond Beach, FL 32176.
Condolences may be shared for the family at www.dalewoodwardfuneralhomes.com.

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