Wayne Smith

Wayne Edward "Smitty" Smith, 92 of Headlee Heights, Garards Fort, Pa., died at 12:08 P.M. on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 in his home surrounded by his loving family. He had been in declining health for several years. He was born September 13, 1914 in Baxter, W. Va., a son of the late Leslie Cleveland and Gracie Ellen (Stansbury) Smith. During World War II, Mr. Smith served as a Technician 4th Grade, with Company C, 51st Armored Infantry Battalion of the 4th Armored Division under the command of General Patton. He fought in the battles of Northern France, Central Europe, Rhineland and Ardennes. Mr. Smith received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Medal, the European, African, Middle East Campaign Medal and the American Campaign Medal. Mr. Smith was employed at the former West Point Marion Lumber Company and, later, at Cumberland Building Supply (Pechin's) until he was 78 years of age. Since 1929, Mr. Smith had been a faithful member of the Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church of Garards Fort and served as financial secretary of the Church for many years. At one time, he served on the Southeastern Greene School Board of Education and was a former member of the Carmichaels Lions Club. Mr. Smith was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoyed hunting, gardening, walking through the woods and feeding squirrels and hummingbirds from his yard and porch. On June 22, 1941, he married Evelyn "Bunch" Brewer, who died July 21, 1999. Surviving are a son Jonathan W. Smith and his wife, Linda of Bridgeport, W. Va.; a daughter, Robin L. Wherry and her husband, James, with whom he made his home; a sister, Alice Aaron of Jamestown, Ky.; a sister-in-law, Ruthella Smith of Carmichaels; five grandchildren, Laura Smith Lenk and her husband, Aaron of Pittsburgh, Pa., SPC Jeremy Smith of Fort Lewis, Wash., Nathan Edward Martin of Charlotte, N. C., Benjamin Andrew Martin and his wife, Robyn of Myrtle Beach, S. C. and Pamela Wherry of Waynesburg, Pa.; several nieces and nephews and a special long term caregiver, Judy Nalbone of McClellandtown, Pa. Deceased are a grandson, Steven Craig Smith; a brother, MSG Leslie Marvin Smith; a sister, Mary Flint and her late husband, Henry and a brother-in-law, Lt. Cdr. Philip Aaron. Family and friends are welcomed from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. on Friday in the Yoskovich Funeral Home, Martin J. Yoskovich, Funeral Director, 300 South Vine Street, Carmichaels, Pa. where funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 3, 2007 with Pastor Kenneth A. Haines and Pastor Richard Everly officiating. Interment will follow at Garards Fort Cemetery with full military honors accorded by Cumberland American Legion Post 400 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491.