Jesse P. Smith

Jesse Pershing Smith, 90, of Wyomissing, died Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at the Highlands, where he had been a resident for over ten years. He is survived by his loving wife, Vivian Mylin Smith, to whom he had been married for over 64 years.

Born in West Grove, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Henrietta May Smith and the stepson of Lloyd A. Diehl. He attended Franklin and Marshall College and Penn State University, from which he graduated in 1949 as a civil engineer.

He was employed by Blaw-Knox of Pittsburgh; Radio Construction Company of Lutherville, Maryland; and Gilbert Associates of Reading.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and served 4 1/2 years as a medical officer, receiving the Bronze Star for his distinguished service in the evacuation of casualties from the field of battle.

He was an enthusiastic sportsman, enjoying golf, bowling, and in his younger years, baseball and football.

He was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church, where he served as a council member.

Also surviving are three children: Cynthia Whitten of Carrollton, Texas; Andrea Fine of Kingsville, Maryland, wife of R. Samuel Fine; and Christian B Smith of Sykesville, Maryland, husband of Carol Royal Smith. There are five grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

Services will be held at Atonement Lutheran Church of Wyomissing, at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2010. The family will receive friends that day an hour before the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Boulevard, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, 19610, or to the Diakon Hospice Saint John, 1030 Reed Avenue, Suite 102, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 19610.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com. Interment will be at the Trumbauer Memorial Cemetery at the convenience of the family.