Elmer C. Smith, formerly of Orchard Park, NY, passed away on September 20, 2024 in Middletown, OH, while receiving care from Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. He was born at home in Derby, NY, on March 10, 1923 to Walter and Mary Ellen (Brown) Smith. On March 25, 1941 Elmer enlisted in the Army Air Core and served until October 31, 1945. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor having been stationed at Wheeler Field in Hawaii and present on December 7, 1941. Elmer fought in many campaigns in both the North and South Pacific and received the Bronze Star from General MacArthur. Elmer’s 502nd Bomb Group received the Legion of Merit from President Roosevelt.
Elmer retired from the South Buffalo Railway in the Lackawanna, New York system in 1984. Following retirement he lived in Bradenton, FL, Trussville, AL, and finally in Beavercreek, OH with his daughter and son-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Walter J. Smith, sisters Beverly Arrigo, June Sweeney, Doris Stuck and son, Marc D. Smith. Elinora, his beloved wife of 76 years, passed away on March 14, 2024. He is survived by his daughter Karen (Smith) Barger, his grandson Brian Eastman and a number of nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Elmer will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Beaver UCC, 1960 Dayton Xenia Road, Beavercreek, Ohio. The funeral service will occur at 6:00 PM at Beaver UCC immediately following the visitation.
Elmer will be laid to rest in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, Trussville Alabama.
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