Phyllis D. (Koontz) Smith

Phyllis D. Smith "Little Phillie" took her last breath on earth and her first one in Heaven at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 29.

A 1949 graduate of Lewistown High School, Phyllis also attended Lewistown Hospital's Nursing School for two years and was a graduate of Empire Beauty School.

She worked for the Lewistown Hospital as an operating room technician; Danks as a clerk and, later in life, as a beautician. She enjoyed her friends and had a good sense of humor. Phyllis volunteered teaching Sunday school at the Lewistown Alliance Church, participated in various Women's Bible Studies and was active in the Kish Apartments Association and many activities at Ohesson Manor where she was most recently a resident.

Phyllis was the youngest of nine children born to John Koontz and Edna (Winder) Koontz of Delaware Avenue, Juniata Terrace. She was preceded in death by her four brothers: Ernie, Roy, Paul and John Jr. Koontz; and four sisters: Evelyn Weikel, Ruth Appleby, Elveretta Traxler and Naomi Platt.

Phyllis was also preceded in death by her husband, Leon R. Smith Jr. "Sonny", in 1993, and is survived by their five children and their spouses: Rodger and Carol Smith, of Bellefonte, Ms. Edna and Gary Snook (deceased), of Lewistown, Leon R. Smith III and wife, Debra, of Lake Hopatcong, N.J.; Lynn R. Smith and Cheri Williams, of Knightdale, N.C., and Joel and Deborah Smith, of Mechanicsburg.

Phyllis was the proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Andrew and wife, Karah Smith, Joanna Smith, Jared (deceased), Aaron, and Joseph Snook, Erica Leibowitz and husband, Ted, Amanda Goodwin, husband Jim, and children Noah and Bella, Joshua and wife, Karen Smith, Hannah Smith, and Caleb Smith.

A viewing and funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., with the service at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Home, Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St. A lunch will follow at noon at the Lewistown Alliance Church. A private burial service will be held for the immediate family. The Rev. Neil Breneman and son, the Rev. Dr. Joel A. Smith will officiate the services.

Memorial gifts and contributions can be made to the Lewistown Alliance Church, Hudson Avenue, Juniata Terrace.

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