John C. "Johnny" Smith, 87, of Blairsville, PA passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at the Communities at Indian Haven, Indiana, PA.The son of Ralph L. and Nellie G. (Walker) Smith, he was born August 7, 1921 in Brackenridge, PA.Mr. Smith was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Acacia Lodge #355 F&AM and VFW Post #5821 where he was a Past Post Commander, all of Blairsville.He graduated from Blairsville High School in 1939 and from the time of his graduation actively followed Blairsville sports. He attended Indiana State Teachers College (IUP) where he was a state wrestling champion.He was a veteran of the Army Air Force during World War II and was very active with the local veterans group and had placed flags on all the graves in Blairsville Cemetery.He had worked for R&P Coal Company as a supply clerk and retired in 1981 from the US Postal Service as a letter carrier in Blairsville, City One. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Helen Marie (Pavell) Smith whom he married on September 15, 1949; two sons, Kevin J. Smith and wife, Marianne of Blairsville and Regis J. Smith of Indiana; two grandchildren, Christopher and Jason Gongloff and a great grandson, Jarrett Gongloff.He was preceded in death by his parents.The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Saturday and from 12:00 to 1 P.M. Sunday at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church, Blairsville, with Rev. Terry Shaffer officiating.Interment will be in the Blairsville Cemetery, Blairsville.Masonic services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday at 7:30 P.M.Military services will be accorded by the Blairsville VFW Post #5821 and the American Legion Post #0407.Memorial contributions may be made to the Communities at Indian Haven building fund or to the Alzheimer's Association.
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