Donald A. Smith: St. Louis, Mo.
Formerly of Latrobe
Donald A. Smith, of St. Louis, Mo., fell asleep with Jesus Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. He was born May 13,1929, and raised in Latrobe. He graduated from Latrobe High School in 1947 and from California State Teachers College, now California State University of PA, in 1951. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953. He was a Free Mason, member of the Elks Club and lifelong Lutheran. He was employed by PPG Industries for 36 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Nancy (Johnston); sons, Mark, wife Nancy, of Shelbyville, Ind., and Craig, wife Jane, of O'Fallon, Mo.; daughter, Jayne, of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren, Kati, Cory, Lauren and Branden. Also survived by brother, Ed (Pat) Smith; and sisters, Jean (Jim) Gallagher; Carol (Mark) Reiner, all of Latrobe. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Latrobe, followed by internment at Unity Cemetery. A BUCHHOLZ MATH HERMANN MORTUARY CREMATION CENTER service.
Donations can be made on behalf of Donald A. Smith to the Parkinson's Foundation at http://us.mc464.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=apda@apdaparkinson.org
My grandfather has passed away. Yesterday was such a hard day. A sad day. A relieving day. A family day. Cory called me a 6am and I almost didn't anwser. He said, "You haven't heard?" The news broke...I cried for a little, and I turned to Derrick and the first thing out of my mouth was, "I am so relieved." I'm relieved for my Pap, for Gram, for my parents, who were constantly on call. Pap had suffered with Parkinson's disease for many years now. He was 79 years old. I rushed from downtown to O'Fallon where I found my grandfather peacefully laying, I laid with him until the mortuary attendents arrived. I knew that it was the last time to spend with my grandfather so I knew that I had to make the best of it. I am at complete and utter peace with his passing.
Tomorrow morning we all leave to go home to Pittsburgh to take my grandfather where he belongs. He will be with his parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles. The service will be held in the same church my grandparents were married 56 years ago, where my grandfather was baptized, and also confirmed. Derrick will fly in Friday night, along with Cory who thankfully got released from the US Army to see his grandfather be put to rest. I will pick both of them up at the airport tomorrow night. Saturday will be emotional yet closing.
To everyone who has lost a grandparent...blessings to anyone who knows how this feels.
Home is where the heart is, and where it belongs.
Donald A. Smith, of St. Louis, Mo., fell asleep with Jesus Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. He was born May 13,1929, and raised in Latrobe. He graduated from Latrobe High School in 1947 and from California State Teachers College, now California State University of PA, in 1951. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953. He was a Free Mason, member of the Elks Club and lifelong Lutheran. He was employed by PPG Industries for 36 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Nancy (Johnston); sons, Mark, wife Nancy, of Shelbyville, Ind., and Craig, wife Jane, of O'Fallon, Mo.; daughter, Jayne, of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren, Kati, Cory, Lauren and Branden. Also survived by brother, Ed (Pat) Smith; and sisters, Jean (Jim) Gallagher; Carol (Mark) Reiner, all of Latrobe. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Latrobe, followed by internment at Unity Cemetery. A BUCHHOLZ MATH HERMANN MORTUARY CREMATION CENTER service.
Donations can be made on behalf of Donald A. Smith to the Parkinson's Foundation at http://us.mc464.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=apda@apdaparkinson.org
My grandfather has passed away. Yesterday was such a hard day. A sad day. A relieving day. A family day. Cory called me a 6am and I almost didn't anwser. He said, "You haven't heard?" The news broke...I cried for a little, and I turned to Derrick and the first thing out of my mouth was, "I am so relieved." I'm relieved for my Pap, for Gram, for my parents, who were constantly on call. Pap had suffered with Parkinson's disease for many years now. He was 79 years old. I rushed from downtown to O'Fallon where I found my grandfather peacefully laying, I laid with him until the mortuary attendents arrived. I knew that it was the last time to spend with my grandfather so I knew that I had to make the best of it. I am at complete and utter peace with his passing.
Tomorrow morning we all leave to go home to Pittsburgh to take my grandfather where he belongs. He will be with his parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles. The service will be held in the same church my grandparents were married 56 years ago, where my grandfather was baptized, and also confirmed. Derrick will fly in Friday night, along with Cory who thankfully got released from the US Army to see his grandfather be put to rest. I will pick both of them up at the airport tomorrow night. Saturday will be emotional yet closing.
To everyone who has lost a grandparent...blessings to anyone who knows how this feels.
Home is where the heart is, and where it belongs.
(This picture is 3 days prior to his passing.)
1 comment:
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Lauren. You are in my prayers and it's good to know you are at peace with this. My ill grandfather passed away in April, so I totally understand your feelings. Hang in there.
Kim
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