James E. Smith

James E. Smith, Sr., age 79, of New Philadelphia, died Thursday, August 18, 2011, in Mercy Medical Hospital following a period of declining health.A son of the late Melvin and Bessie Clyne Smith, James was born at Wooster, Ohio on December 17, 1931.James attended Creston High School prior to enlisting into the United States Air Force and married the love of his life, the former Lucille A. Lorson, on July 25, 1958. The couple reared three children and shared in 52 years of marriage prior to Lucille’s passing on September 16, 2010.James worked for the Norfolk-Southern Railroad as a locomotive engineer for 34 years prior to his retirement. He was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church at New Philadelphia and enjoyed following the Cleveland sports teams, reading and studying the Bible, sharing stories involving his life experiences and adventures as well as spending time with his family.He leaves behind his family which includes two daughters, Pamela (Donald) Sundheimer of Strasburg and Michele Smith of Bolivar; and a son, James (Tracy) Smith of Alliance.Five grandchildren, Nicholas Yoder, Donald Sundheimer, Jr., Brittany Smith, Hope Sundheimer, and Taylor Gregg as well as three great-grandchildren, Anthony Yoder, Madison Yoder, and Zachary Dilyard complete the family. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by an infant twin brother, and a granddaughter, Katherine A. Yoder. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services on Saturday, August 20, 2011, from 10:00 â?? 11:00 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Mark Unrue will lead a funeral service celebrating James’ life in the funeral home’s chapel on Saturday at 11 a.m. Following the service, the family would like to invite guests to join them in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the New Philadelphia funeral home, where a meal and fellowship will be shared. Cremation will follow with the family holding private burial services in the Ridgecrest Memory Gardens at a later date. Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.