Paul J. Smith

Paul J. Smith, 85, of Meadville, died Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at the Meadville Medical Center.

He was born in Meadville, October 12, 1924 a son of Highly G. and Bernice Woods Smith.  He married Lois Haas and she preceded him in death in 1962.  He subsequently married Margaret Ruth Crislip Yoest on July 24, 1968 and she preceded him in death June 2, 2005.

He started working on the railroad at 15 years old, first with Erie Railroad, then Erie Lackawanna Railroad and then finally with Conrail, retiring in 1988 as an engineer after 49 years of service.

He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Merchant Marine and he was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ.

Survivors, include: a son, William P. Smith and his wife Mary of Brookfield, OH; two daughters, Margaret Robison and her husband Robbie of Niles, OH and Patricia Shunk and her husband Gary of Hartville, OH; three granddaughters, Jennifer Zachary, Andrea Smith and Paula Smith; two great grandsons, Hunter and Gavin; a nephew, David Smith of Meadville; two step-daughters, Carolyn Turnbull and her husband James of Meadville and Joyce Minnis and her husband Richard of Conneaut Lake; three step grandchildren, Richard Minnis, Jr. and his wife Shelly, Aubrey Minnis and her husband Dominick DiRienzo and James D. Turnbull and five step great grandchildren, Alexander, Joshua, Grace, McKenna and Luca.

In addition to his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Smith.

Calling hours will be Monday from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.  The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Timothy Solomon, Pastor of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, officiating.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery.