Joseph M. Smarsh

Joseph M. Smarsh (Poppy), of Linglestown, PA, passed away Friday, January 13th, at Hershey Medical Center. He was born March 27, 1946, son of the late Maurice Smarsh and the late Emma (Hartman) Smarsh of Harrisburg. He graduated from Stevens Trade School in Lancaster.

Joseph was retired from PPL after 38 years, was a life member of the NRA, the North American Hunting Club, the VFW of Union Deposit and the American Legion Post 272 of Linglestown. He was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War and retired from the US Army Reserves after 28 years of service and also served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He was a former Webelos leader of Cub Scout Pack 307 in Linglestown, a member of PPL Live Wires and a member of the Order of the Arrows. He enjoyed hunting, working in the yard, puttering in the garage and going to his camp.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Maxine; son, Joseph II and his wife, Lisa, of Hummelstown and son, Douglas, of Linglestown. He loved his two grandchildren Nathan and Nicole Smarsh very much. He is also survived by his sister, Rose Lerch and her husband, Chester, of Etters, and sister, Joanne Serre, and her husband Larry, of Dunlo, along with several nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Betty Slaughenhaupt , of Dagus Mines; Romaine Stoutenger and her husband Tom, of Mexico, NY; Peggy Gatto and her husband Bill, of North Washington; brother-in-law, Craig Knappo and fiancé Jackie Cook, of Corsica and John Knapp and his wife Rita, of Browns Mills, NJ. He was preceded in death by one brother, Edward Smarsh and one nephew Tony Lerch.

There will be a viewing from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. on Tuesday evening , January 17, 2012 in the Neill Funeral Home, 3501 Derry Street, Harrisburg and also from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at the funeral home followed by the service at 11:a.m. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Joe to Hershey Medical Center Heart and Vascular Intensive Care Unit, Mail Code H047, 500 University Drive, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033 or Harrisburg Hospital.

Arrangements under the direction of Neill Funeral Home, Harrisburg, PA.