Smith

Edmund Earle Smith, 78, of Hilton, N.Y., went into the arms of Jesus Saturday surrounded by his wife and daughters, after a long and courageous health battle.

He was born Dec. 25, 1934, in Slippery Rock, and was the son of the late Edmund Isaiah Smith and Leona Martha (Badger) Smith.

Ed graduated from Slippery High School in 1952 and from New Castle Business College in 1962. Natalie and Ed were married July 3, 1965, at the University of Pittsburgh's Heinz Chapel and shared 47 loving years of adventures together while raising their four children.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. While stationed in the South Pacific, he witnessed several atomic tests including the first airdrop of a hydrogen bomb. He was a dedicated member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans, Sampson Air Force Base Veterans Association, and St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hilton, N.Y.

He retired as an accountant from Renick Brothers Mechanical Contractors in Slippery Rock in 1994 after 29 years and later relocated with Natalie to Hilton, N.Y. in 2002.

Ed, an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan for over 60 years, rarely missed a football game. He enjoyed hunting and fishing especially near his camp in the Allegheny National Forest and camping around Pymatuning Lake, Pa., Sebastian Inlet, Fla., and the Florida Keys. He and his wife and family also camped at numerous campgrounds in New York during the summer months.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather (PopPop). His kind, gentle and patient ways influenced Natalie, as well as the lives of his children, grandchildren and many others.

As an inspiring leader, he followed politics and never hesitated respectfully sharing his opinions. Ed adhered to traditional patriotic ideals and Christian values, was a weather watcher, enjoyed talk radio and could be found every Friday night at 9 enjoying his favorite television show, “Gold Rush,” but most of all he enjoyed being with his family.

Edmund is survived by his loving wife, Natalie; his triplet daughters, Susan (John) Vernick, Sharon (Christopher) Petrakis, Sandra (Darren) Smith; and his seven grandchildren, John, Anna, Lauren and Benjamin Vernick, Alexis and CJ Petrakis and Ethan Smith. He also leaves his sisters, Mildred Dawley, Betty (James) Delmar and Barbara Kennedy; brother-in-law, Frank (Barb) Girardi; sister-in-law, Bennie (William) Muncy; and many treasured nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his gentle and adoring son, Danny, who died in 1994.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Robert Blackburn of Hilton Health Care, all of the Unity Hospital staff, and the staff and volunteers of Lifetime Care/Hospice, Rochester, N.Y.

SMITH — A visitation for Edmund Earle Smith, who passed away Saturday, April 27, 2013, will be at the YOUNG FUNERAL HOME,127 W. Jefferson St., Butler, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Ed's funeral service and celebration of his life will also be at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Eric Goodwin of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hilton, N.Y., officiating. Interment will be in Slippery Rock Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, specialolympicspa.org, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of upstate New York.Information also is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.