Leroy B. "Smitty" Smith

Leroy B. "Smitty" Smith, 95, died Sunday, January 31, 2016 at SpiriTrust Lutheran, Shrewsbury. He was the husband of the late Lucile T. "Nootie" (Strasbaugh) Smith. Viewings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3 and again from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 4 at the J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, Inc., 24 N. Second St., New Freedom. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary with Pastor Aaron Cope officiating. Interment will follow the service in New Freedom Cemetery with full military honors by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Born March 2, 1920 in Hopewell Twp., York County, he was a son of the late William W. and Clara B. (Smith) Smith. Smitty installed flooring for many years at the former Hartenstein & Co. and was later employed at Wagner TV and New Freedom Farm and Home Supply, all in New Freedom. He was a World War II veteran and flight maintenance gunner who served in the U.S. Army Air Force in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. His decorations included the Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, American Theatre Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a charter member of New Freedom VFW Post 7012. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in New Freedom and the St. John's Jewels, a life member and former president of Rose Fire Co. #1 in New Freedom and a member of the York County Firefighters Association. For 16 years, Smitty was the mayor of New Freedom and was the treasurer of the 1973 New Freedom Centennial Committee. Surviving are his children, Vicki Jo Manker and her husband, John of New Freedom, Christi Stiffler and her husband, Ray of Shrewsbury, and Lynn L. Waltersdorff and her husband, Roger of New Freedom; six grandchildren, Chris, Andy, Shannon, Corbi, Jenny and Katie; five great-grandchildren, Brooke, Lexi, Jacob, Matthew and Ethan; and six step great-grandchildren, Michaela, Josh, Brenna, Austin, Greg, and Alysson. He was preceded in death by a brother, Carroll Smith. Memorial contributions in Smitty's name may be made to Rose Fire Company #1, 200 E. Main Street, New Freedom, PA 17349 or to Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 603, New Freedom, PA 17349.