John E. Smith

John E. Smith, 83, of Lewistown passed away at 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at William Penn Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.

Born Feb. 2, 1934 in Lewistown he was a son of the late, Jaye Faye (Hines) and Charles Leroy Smith.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Daryl Fisher and a grandson, Joshua Fisher.

John pursued and finally married the woman who would become his lifelong partner, Gladys Fisher, in 1958.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by: son, Robert E. Fisher and wife, Peggy, of Reedsville; daughter, Patricia Koch, of McClure; son, David Smith; three grandchildren, Maggie Thygeson, Toby Fisher and Cy Fisher; seven great-grandchildren; and was a proud brother of two sisters, D. Sue Smith, of New Jersey and Molly Ann-Smith-Shotzberger, and husband, James, of Lebanon; and his closest friend, James Shotzberger.

John was a graduate of Lewistown High School, Class of 1952. He was a member of the undefeated/untied football team in 1951.

John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1953 and served a four-year hitch. As a trained Sonar man, he was assigned to a duty station aboard a Navy Destroyer the USS PARLE, DE 708 – known as a Tin Can. During his service, he was awarded a Navy Occupational Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and a National Defense Medal. John was honorably discharged in 1957 with the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class.

Earlier in life, he had worked at the following businesses: Atlantic Refining Co. and YMCA. Then as a manager at McCrory’s Five & Ten, W.T. Grant; Delta Hosiery, Hamilton Luggage, Hickory Farms, Unemployment Bureau and lastly, retiring from Verizon in 2003.  

He was a Lutheran by faith.

John was a president of the residence council at William Penn. He enjoyed summer vacations to Wildwood Crest, N.J. with his family.

Interment will take place in Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA with military honors at a later date.

Memorials in John’s name may be made to: William Penn Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, 163 Summit Drive, Lewistown, PA 17044.

Arrangements are under the care of Hoenstine Funeral Home, Inc., 75 Logan St., Lewistown.  Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hellerhoenstinefuneralhome.com.

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