He was born September 28, 1930 in Mather, a son of the late Calvin and Emily Schmidtke Smitley.
Mr. Smitley attended Jefferson schools and served in the United States Army.
He was a retired coal miner form Gateway Coal Company and a member of the United Mine Workers of America.
On January 14, 1972 he married Patty Lea Funk, who survives.
Also surviving are four children, Connie (Robert) Nyswaner of Clarksville, Lonnetta (Jess) Pitcock of Waynesburg, Roxanna Nelson of Washington, and Rheanna (Rick) Shaffer of Waynesburg; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren.
Deceased are a daughter, Shelley Snyder, a son, Ronald “Jake” Smitley; a grandson, Philip Nelson Jr.; three brothers, Herb, Art and William Smitley; five sisters, Emily “Toots” Henrish, Wilma Havanis, JoAnn Paulson, Pauline Burich, and Gert Krieger.