Melvin "Mel" H. Smith, 99, of the Jameson Care Center, New Castle, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Oct. 18.

Born Nov. 23, 1909, in Salem, W.Va., he was the son of the late W. Thomas and Judith Myrtle Hissom Smith.

He was married to Ida Stoughton Smith for 64 years. She predeceased him in 2000.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was a deacon, elder, clerk of session and Sunday school teacher.

He graduated from the Bruin High School and the Beckley Business College in Harrisburg.

While in college, he started working for S.S. Kresge Co. In 1940, he moved to New Castle to work for the Roms Wholesale Food Co. He also was in auto sales and management for many years. At the age of 90, he retired as an agent for the Lincoln National Life Insurance. He loved people and sales.

His hobbies were playing golf and bridge. At an early age, he learned to play the harmonica, violin and piano. He was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

He is survived by his loving family, daughters, Janice Kay (Michael) McBurney of New Castle and Melanie Kay (Gerald) Rankin of Cary, N.C.; two grandsons, David (Shea) Rankin and Todd (Tracy) Rankin; three great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, William and Scott McBurney and Jane Carberry; and a niece, Sara Lee (George) Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one sister, Deloris Buzard.

<B>SMITH</B> — Visitation for Melvin "Mel" H. Smith, who died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, was Oct. 20 at the <B>R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory</B>, New Castle. A memorial service was held Oct. 21 at the First Presbyterian Church, New Castle, with the Rev. Dr. Raymond I. Hylton officiating. Interment was at the Bear Creek Cemetery, Petrolia.Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.cunninghjamfh.com.