John Edward “Smitty” Smith Sr.
John Edward “Smitty” Smith Sr., 78, of Butler passed away peacefully at 6:34 a.m. Wednesday at his home, surrounded by his family into the arms of Jesus.
He was born Jan. 11, 1938, in Carbon Center to the late Alonzo John Smith and Alma Belle (Stanley) Smith.
John worked 42 years as a millwright out of Local Union 2235, Pittsburgh, retiring in 1997.
He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose 64 Butler, the Argyle Lodge 540 F&AM, Chicora, and the Happy Hunters Club of Fenelton.
John enjoyed restoring classic cars and trucks and going to car cruises. He also enjoyed NASCAR races, hunting, fishing and spending time at camp and with his family. He was a member of the East Butler Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Jean Smith, who he married Sept. 14, 1957; one son, John E. Smith Jr. and his wife, Lisa, of Butler; one daughter, Lori L. (Smith) Vavro of Butler; one foster son, Michael Peters of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; one foster daughter, Diane Hildebrand (Merle) of Butler; four grandchildren, Jennifer Smith, Mark Smith and Stephenie, Madalyn Smith and Mathieu Vavro; two great-grandchildren, Ashlynn McCloskey and McKenna Smith; one brother, William J. Smith and his wife, Betty Jo, of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant brother, and son-in-law, Randy Vavro.
SMITH — Friends of John Edward “Smitty” Smith Sr., who died Wednesday, June 29, 2016, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.Funeral services will immediately follow at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Mary J. Kitchen of East Butler Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will take place at the Rose Hill Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the East Butler Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 233, East Butler, PA 16029, the Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St., Butler, PA 16001, or VNA, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
