Obituaries
Harold L. Smuck
Harold Lester Smuck, lovingly called “H.L.” by his family, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on October 23 at Valley Hospice North after a courageous battle with cancer. Harold was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Harold was born in and remained a lifelong resident of Steubenville, OH. He was the son of the late Archie and Sarah (Burchfield) Smuck. He attended Wells High School but left prior to graduation to help support his family during the Great Depression by joining the Civilian Conservation Corp. H.L. was a true patriot and was proud to enlist in the U.S. Navy the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. He served from 1942 to 1945 as a coxswain on a YP boat in the Pacific fleet. On leave from the service, he married the love of his life, the former Ruth Ethel Burns, and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in March 2009. Upon returning home, he began his career as a car inspector for the Pennsylvania railroad where he developed a lifelong love of railroading, and enjoyed train rides with his family. After being laid off, he studied to be a stationary engineer with the help of his wife, Ruth. He then began work at the Federal Paper Board. He ended his long career in 1987 at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel as a stationary engineer in the blowing room in utilities.
The great passion of his life was his wife and his family. He enjoyed nothing more than family vacations, family parties and holidays, supporting his grandchildren in their various endeavors, and taking leisurely drives with his wife. He was also very devoted to his Yorkie, Teco, who preceded him in death. He was a lifelong avid football fan and attended the first Big Red game played in Harding Stadium. He carried on the tradition of attending Big Red games with his son and grandson and remained a true Big Red fan his whole life. He also loved to cheer on the OSU Buckeyes and the Pittsburgh Steelers and eventually became a WVU fan with the help of his grandchildren. He enjoyed golfing with his wife and son and belonged to Cadiz Country Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Anna Mary, and sister Shirley (Bo) Sloman. He is survived by his devoted wife Ruth (Burns) Smuck; children Edith (Terry) Kettlewell of Bloomingdale and David (Fatima) Smuck of Follansbee; grandchildren Melissa (Mike) Williams of Wintersville, Erika (Richard) Carney of Hurricane, David Smuck, Jr. of Follansbee, and Erin Kettlewell of Bloomingdale; great grandchildren Michael Wood of Wintersville, Matthew Wood of Bloomingdale, Jonathon Wood of Wintersville, and Julia Carney of Hurricane; great great grandchild Kamryn Wood of Wintersville; siblings Archie (Delores) Smuck of Annapolis and Margaret (Dean) Barnhart of Mingo Junction.
Friends may call at Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, Wintersville on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until the time of service at 8 p.m. with Rev. Bill Westling officiating.
Donations in his memory can be made to Valley Hospice Center. Harold will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him, but his memory will live in their hearts forever.
Date of Death: October 23, 2009
