Joseph A. Smertneck, 88, of 2515 W. Fourth St., died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at his home following an extended illness.

Joe and his wife, the former Patricia A. Beach, observed their 59th wedding anniversary on Aug. 23, 2011.

Joe was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Ascension Church and was a Navy veteran in World War II serving in the Pacific Theater from 1943 to 1946 on the USS New Mexico.

Joe was a graduate of the Hershey High School and Penn State University. He was a member of VFW Post 7863, DuBoistown, an operator of an amateur radio, W3KDK, and belonged to the local club.

Joe retired in 1987 from the Roosevelt Middle School, after 36 years of service, where he taught science and math. He had also taught radio and television repair at the former Williamsport Technical Institute.

Born Oct. 3, 1923, in Glen Dale, WV, he was the son of Albert J. and Virginia Mae Bowen Smertneck.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a son, John E. (Michele) of Neptune, N.J.; son-in-law, John E. Springman of Williamsport; stepsister, Joan Bard of Emeryville, Calif.; grandchildren, Kelly M. Zellers and Craig A. Springman; great-granddaughters, Elizabeth A. Zellers and Nittany J. Springman.

Joe was predeceased by a son, Kevin J. Smertneck; a daughter, Denise B. Springman; a brother and two sisters.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Knight-Confer's, 1914 Memorial Ave., with the Rev. David W. Bechtel officiating. There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Twin Hills Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Susquehanna Home Care and Hospice, 1100 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport, PA 17701.

Williamsport Sun-Gazette

9Q5VM - Zaire

June 1960: Belgian Congo becomes independant as Democratic Republic of Congo. Oct 1971: Democratic Republic of Congo changes into Republic of Zaire. May 1997: The name was changed back from Zaire to Democratic Republic of Congo.

From the estate of W3KDK