Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Marian's Big Brother, Ross: A Life Of Honor

ROSS DALTON BAKER SMITH, son of the late Walter and Helen B. Soule Baker (Britcher) and adopted son of the late Curtis A. and Mary W. Soule Smith, died Monday, July 14, 2008 in the Perry Village Nursing Home, New Bloomfield. He was 82.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 61 years, Madalene I. Wohletz of New Bloomfield; 2 daughters: Karen G. Diller of Lancaster and Anne M. Warfel of Bloomsburg. Also surviving are three grandchildren, George J. Kern and wife Stephanie of Flower Mound, TX, James D. Warfel and wife Yvonne of Berwick, and Marian L. Schlauch and husband Curtis of Odessa, TX; 2 half-brothers, Earl Britcher of Carlisle, John B. Britcher and a half-sister, Arlene M. Whisler of New Bloomfield. Also surviving are 8 great-grandchildren: Kobe, Tre’ and Aubrie Kern; Leslie and Britney Warfel; Britt, Dalton and Chesley Schlauch.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Marian Louise Baker.

Mr. Smith was born November 26, 1925 in New Bloomfield, where he attended the local schools. He was a graduate of New Bloomfield High School and Thompson Business College. He was a veteran of WWII, having served on the USS Lexington in the Pacific Theatre. He was awarded several medals and battle stars. Following his Naval duty, he was employed as the Sr. Correspondent for the State Workmen’s Compensation Board and later worked as a material and supply clerk at the US Naval Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg before becoming affiliated with PA Power and Light Company, at Safe Harbor, Lancaster County in the Clerical field. He later transferred to the Montour Steam Electric Station where he served as Chief Clerk for a five year period and completed his employment with PP&L Co., as Store Supervisor at Sunbury Steam Electric Station.

Mr. Smith was a member of Perry Historians, PA and World Wildlife Associations, Audubon Society, American Land Preservation Program, and United Seniors Association and the Heritage Foundation. Mr. Smith served as Republican Committeeman for several years in Conestoga Twp., Lancaster County, also served as Secretary and driver for the Conestoga Ambulance Association. He was Asst. P.T.A President at Creswell Elementary School and later President of the P.T.A. of the elementary school in Conestoga. He was a former member of the Conestoga Lions Club and secretary of the Bethel Evangelical Church Official Board as well as Assistant Superintendent. After moving to Perry county, Mr. Smith along with his wife were attendees of the East Newport First Church of God. Mr. Smith was recipient of the “Man of the Year” award in 1970 from the Conestoga Jaycees. A lover of writing, his first book, “Bitter Sweet the Days” was published in 1972.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2008 in the Boyer Funeral Home, 101 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, PA, where a viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Snyder’s Church Cemetery, where full military honors will be rendered by New Bloomfield VFW Post #7463, and Newport American Legion Post #177. Pastor Cheryl Dorman, of East Newport First Church of God, will be officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Capital Region, 3211 N. Front Street, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110; or the Capital Region American Heart Association, 4999 Louise Drive, Suite 104, Mechanicsburg, PA, 17055, or American Diabetes Association, 3544 North Progress Avenue, Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA, 17110.

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