Joseph A. Smolley
Joseph A. Smolley, age 91, of Hopwood, Pa. passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.
He was the husband of the late Irene (Renner) Smolley for 63 years and the son of the late John and Anna (Marva) Smolley.
Also preceding him in death were two sisters Anna and Mary; two brothers, John and Paul; and a grandson, Tyler.
Joseph was born in Shoaf, Pa., in an area called ‘Bumble Bee’ on Wednesday July 11, 1923
He was taught a good work ethic from an early age.
When he was young, Joseph and his mother would sell strawberries for 25 cents a quart to neighbors, members of the Uniontown Country Club, and engineers that would stop at the Brownfield siding.
Joseph quit school in the seventh grade to help his family.
At age 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was sent to Priest Lake, Idaho for six months.
When he returned, he started at the Brownfield Coke Ovens at the Screening Plant and later became a Scraper at the ovens.
Joe joined the United States Army on Tuesday, February 23, 1943. He served in the Pacific Theater in World War II in the 475th Infantry as a Private. He ran telephone lines by mule to the battlegrounds. He was injured and received a Purple Heart.
After being Honorably discharged on Friday, January 11, 1946, he returned to the Brownfield Coke Ovens.
He soon met and married Irene Renner on Saturday, July 1, 1950.
In 1960, with the help of his brother John, he began working for the Joseph Bendik Construction Company.
He later worked for L&D Construction in Hopwood, Pennsylvania.
In 1974, he started at the Maple Creek Mine and retired in the fall of 1984.
After retirement, he and Irene enjoyed traveling with family to such places as Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Holland, England, Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Canada, as well as local vacations.
He enjoyed Sunday afternoon travels with his family to local festivals, craft shows, and historical landmarks.
Joe was an avid gardener, farmer, beekeeper, hunter, and woodcrafter. At one time he had three vegetable gardens to tend at three different locations.
He is survived by his loving daughters: Linda Rishel and husband Greg of Uniontown, Pa., and Esther Kennedy and husband Rob of Fort London, Pa.; loving grandchildren: Joseph Rishel, Joshua Rishel, Kayla Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy and wife Ellie; two great-grandchildren: Harmony Kennedy and Tanner Kennedy; brother Anthony Smolley and wife Mary of Uniontown; sister, Margaret Maier of Uniontown; many loving nieces and nephews; other relatives, and many friends.
Friends will be received in KEZMARSKY FUNERAL HOME, 71 Pennsylvania Avenue, Uniontown, Pa., Friday, December 5, 2014 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday morning until 9:00 a.m. when parting prayers will be said.
A Funeral Mass will follow at 9:30 a.m. in Saint Mary (Nativity) Roman Catholic Church, 61 North Mount Vernon Avenue, Uniontown, with Reverend Father Peter L. Peretti as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in Saint John Byzantine Cemetery, Hopwood, Pa.
The AMVETS Post 103, Hopwood, will conduct military services at graveside.
A Parish Wake Service will be held in funeral home Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Donations may be made to the Hopwood Garden Club, c/o Elaine Frantz, 266 Hopwood- Fairchance Road, Uniontown, PA 15401.