Edward (Ed) E. Smith, 77, born Aug. 1, 1947, died unexpectedly Oct. 11, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles F. Smith, and mother, Marguerite J. Smith. He leaves behind his loving daughter and son, Michelle M. Smith (Corey, Annville) and Duane E. Smith (Marcie, Cameron, NC); and his twin grandsons whom he adored. Also, his former spouse, Linda M. Socha (Paul) nee Hipp (Lebanon); two step-granddaughters; two step-great-grandsons; and step-great-granddaughter. His family will miss him immensely.
Ed graduated from Annville-Cleona High School in 1965 and then served three years of active service in the Army during the Vietnam War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was noted as an expert rifleman and attended the Army NCO Academy in 1968. He was honorably discharged from service three days after the birth of his daughter.
Alongside his father, then his uncle upon the death of his father, Ed owned and operated Smith’s New and Used Furniture, Annville, in the 1970s and 1980s. He also co-managed J. R. Smith’s Furniture in Lebanon for several years. In addition, he served as the sole caretaker for his mother and paternal uncle.
Ed was very handy and could build almost anything using his many tools. He built a massive L-shaped loft for his daughter’s college dorm room, dog houses, trailer-loading ramps for his daughter’s pony, and many other projects with his beloved son and son-in-law.
First and foremost, Ed loved his family, especially his grandsons. His secondary loves were hunting, his various pets over the years, and the outdoors. He was an avid bowhunter and rifle hunter, having bagged several white-tailed bucks over the years. Going to his grandsons’ sporting and school events and to the hunting cabin with his close friends were some of his greatest joys. Sitting quietly in the woods brought him peace and healing.
Ed will be laid to rest at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, with full military honors on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at 11 a.m. A procession will form at 10 a.m. at Kreamer Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., 618 E. Main St., Annville, PA 17003. In honor of Ed’s favorite colors, please proudly wear black, plaid, or camouflage attire to his services.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Ed’s memory to the Humane Society of Lebanon County, (717) 628-1369, www.lebanonhumane.org.
Ed was a smart and wonderful man and should be remembered for the kindness and love in his heart and not his final act on this earth. If you, or someone you know, is struggling, please reach out to loved ones or those that can help you, like a trusted friend or clergy person. You are never alone, and there is always a solution to a temporary problem. Dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For veterans or active service members, dial 988, then press one. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers services to talk to a skilled counselor. If you are feeling distressed and need to talk to a counselor, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
