John J. Smith

John J. Smith, 87, of Muncy, died Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Muncy Place.

Born James John Smith on January 26, 1937 in Chatham, Columbia County, NY he was a son of the late James Smith and Edna Catherine Smith Harrington. On Aug. 22, 1981 he married the former Helen M. Newman, who survives. Together they celebrated 43 years of marriage.

John was a 1957 graduate of Roeliff Jansen Central School in Hillsdale, NY. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Army and trained at Fort Gordon, Georgia and Fort Ord, California before being sent to Germany. While serving in the Army his training was in the Army Signal Corp, He was honorably discharged in September 1960 with the rank of Sergeant.

After being discharged from the Army, John resided with a foster brother and his wife, M. Milton and Ruth Hoffman and was employed by the Hoffman’s, owners of the former Hoffman Seed and Grain Co. in Muncy, forerunner to Muncy Chief Hybrids, Inc. for 37 years as foreman and farm manager. John held the corporate office of vice president at its closing in 1994.

He was employed by Lowe’s Home improvement Center, Montoursville for over two years, retiring from the Delivery Department in 2000 due to a stroke.

John was a member of the Muncy Baptist Church, serving on various committees and attending until his physical disabilities became too much. He was a board member and former President of the Lycoming Citizen’s Band Radio Club, now disbanded. John was the first male member to join the Hughesville Garden Club and was also a member of the National Association of Milk Bottle Collectors.

John’s only birth surviving relatives are aunts, uncles and cousins in New York, however, he has claimed his wife’s relatives as his also.

Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, at the Muncy Baptist Church, 11 W. Penn St., Muncy, where the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. with his pastor, Rev. Robert Rice, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Muncy Cemetery.

The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to either the Muncy Baptist Church or to the Lycoming County SPCA, 2805 Reach Rd., Williamsport, PA 17701.