Smith

The Rev. Gervin L. Smith, 96, of South Duffy Road, Butler, died at 7:35 a.m. Sunday at his home.

Born Sept. 13, 1913, in McKeesport, he was the son of the late James B. Smith and the late Anna G. Flaherty.

Rev. Smith was a 1931 graduate of McKeesport High School. He then graduated from California (Pa.) University, Westminster College in New Wilmington and the University of Pittsburgh School of Religion.

He was a charter member and past president of Phi Delta Kappa of Westminster College, a life member of the Pennsylvania Retired Teachers Association, and he was active in the Trinity Fellowship of the Trinity Presbyterian Church. He was an avid bowler.

Rev. Smith was a United Methodist pastor, serving pastorates in Fayette, Westmoreland and Washington counties. He was a retired pastor of the former Lyndora Presbyterian Church, serving there for 12½ years. He also served as the interim pastor for many local Presbyterian churches.

He was an English teacher and guidance counselor in the New Castle schools for more than 20 years.

Rev. Smith is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ella Nora Williams Smith, who he married Nov. 27, 1943; his two daughters, Denise Lynn Vogado and her husband, Paul, of Maryville, Tenn., and Debbe Picerno and her husband, Jeff, of Butler; his four grandchildren, Michele Slone and her husband, Mike, Jessica Perry and her husband, Eugene, Lindy Vogado and Christopher Vogado; a step-granddaughter, Danielle Picerno; two great-grandsons, Adam Perry and George Slone; a step-great-grandson, Tyler Picerno; his daughter-in-law, Barb Smith of Mansfield, Ohio; two nieces; and three nephews.

Rev. Smith was given special care by Patty Cousins, Linda Cunningham, Phyllis Brinks, Sharon Moore, Carol Finan and Elaine Heasley.

Rev. Smith was preceded in death by one son, the Rev. James L. Smith, who died in June 2009; two brothers, and one sister.

<B>SMITH</B> — Friends of the Rev. Gervin L. Smith, who died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St., Butler. Services will follow at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dennis Molnar of Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, officiating. Interment will follow in the Butler County Memorial Park.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.