Sara “Louise” Smith, 97, of Indiana, PA, and formerly of Hillsdale, PA, went to be with her Lord from Rose Haven Personal Care Home in Indiana, PA on Tuesday, June 13, 2017.
The daughter of Luther Melborn and Susan Ellenberger Smith, she was born on December 13, 1919 in Canoe Twp., Indiana Co., PA.
Louise married her husband, Donald Earl Smith on March 23, 1940.
She was a longtime member of the Calvary Baptist Church, where she was active in assisting with funeral meals and church dinners. She had been in charge of the sign-out system for borrowing ministry tapes and materials. She loved travelling, especially participating in the church bus trips.
Louise had been a cafeteria worker at the Punxsutawney Area School District. During her husband, Donald Smith’s, career as the Indiana County Sheriff, she served as the jail matron for ten years. Part of her duties included cooking homemade meals for the inmates.
Louise loved to walk. She was well known around Hillsdale for her daily, fast paced walks. You would see Louise walking through all kinds of weather conditions. In her spare time, you could find Louise reading; sewing; listening to hymns on her Victrola and completing sewing and craft projects.
Louise enjoyed mowing her lawn and doing yardwork. Her yard was meticulously kept in fine form.
She is survived by her three daughters: Patricia Lee (Smith) Leasure of Indiana, PA; Diane (Smith) McGonigal of Indiana, PA and Sharen Louise (Smith) Bowers and husband, Kenneth “Nick” of Rochester Mills, PA and her seven grandchildren: Douglas Leasure; Sherri (Leasure) Jorgenson; Tom McGonigal and wife Laura; Greg McGonigal and wife Trish; Kerry McGonigal and wife Anna Grace; Scott Bowers and wife Lori and Jodee (Bowers) Hanzely and husband Brad.
Also surviving are Louise’s twenty great grandchildren: Tabitha (Bowers) Torrell and husband, Danny; Tawnee (Bowers) Leonardo and husband Braden; Heather Hanzely; Jessica Hanzely; Joe Jorgenson; Kayla Jorgenson; Nicole Jorgenson; Dawn and Bobbi Sue; Ethan McGonigal; Micah McGonigal; Cady McGonigal; Brielle McGonigal; Gavin McGonigal; Jada McGonigal; Caelyn McGonigal; Kiara McGonigal; Erika McGonigal; Charisse McGonigal and Keira McGonigal; her great great grandson, Tripp Bowers Torrell; her sister, Joyce Lucille (Smith) Bennett of DuBois, PA and numerous nieces and nephews.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don on March 17, 1980; her two sons-in-law, Donald “Bud” Leasure and James McGonigal; her brother, Donald Edward Smith and her three sisters: Edith Maxine (Smith) Smith; Erma Edna (Smith) Lanham and Marilyn Jean (Smith) Henry.
Family and friends will be received from 1-3:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd. in Hillsdale, PA. On Saturday, June 17, 2017 arrangements will continue at the Calvary Baptist Church, 11394 Route 286 Hwy East, Clymer, PA with a visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to an 11:00 a.m. funeral service in the church sanctuary officiated by Rev. Dr. Daryl S. Jeffers and Louise’s grandson, Dr. Kerry T. McGonigal. Interment will follow at the Burnside Cemetery, Burnside, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Louise may be forwarded to the Calvary Baptist Church, 11394 Route 286 Hwy E., Clymer, PA 15728 or to AseraCare Hospice, 100 CTC Drive, Suite 110, Johnstown, PA 15904.
