Donald "Don" Max Smith

March 20, 1936 - July 4, 2025

Donald “Don” Max Smith, 89, of Reedsville, PA, passed away on July 4, 2025, at the Lewistown Hospital following an extended illness.  He was born on March 20, 1936, during the receding waters of the “36” flood.  He was the only child of the late Samuel Max Smith and Thelma Bell McCoy Smith of Belleville.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Marlene Keiser Smith of Reedsville and son, Todd R. Smith of Burnham, along with his beloved grand-dog, Marley.

He was a 1954 graduate of Menno-Union High School in Belleville.  Following graduation, he attended Juniata College and Thompson Institute for studies in business administration and bookkeeping.  He served in the National Guard from 1957 to 1965 and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Early in life he worked for Union Roofing, J.M. Young and Sons and was a salesperson at Claster’s Building Supply.  In 1966, he joined the Purchasing Dept. of Standard Steel and retired in 1998 as the Senior Purchasing Agent.

He was a lifetime member of the Watts Memorial United Methodist Church in Belleville.

Don loved working in his yard.  Planting and caring for his flowers and shrubs, mowing, and landscaping, and maintaining everything to his meticulous standards.  In his later years, he enjoyed the help of his little Amish boy sidekick, Chris Yoder.  They were best buddies.

Don is known and remembered by many for the many years he worked alongside Forest Kauffman at Grassmyer’s Auction House in McVeytown.  Their combined knowledge of primitive Early American antiques and collectibles could only be matched or surpassed by a few others.  This was Dons passion in life.

Don was an incredibly strong-willed and determined man.  Any endeavors he encountered in life, he tackled with a positive mindset and easily found the best solution for the situation at hand.  He strongly believed in a person’s integrity and values.  It is how he was raised and how he lived his life.  Don was very polite and always had a kind word served with a side portion of wisdom and advice if needed.  He devoted his entire life to caring for his family and those close to him.  He constantly strived to make “their” life better and easier.  He was truly one of the good people on this earth.  He will always be remembered and sadly missed by his family and those that truly knew him.

There will be no viewing.  

There will be a funeral service for family and close friends on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Watt’s Memorial United Methodist Church in Belleville with Pastor Jennifer Heikes officiating.  Burial will follow at the Churchill Cemetery in Reedsville.

Any gifts or donations can be made to Watt’s Memorial United Methodist Church, 16 Walnut Street, Belleville, or the American Cancer Society at https//donate.cancer.org, or by mail at P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD  21741.

Arrangements are under the care of Henderson Funeral Home, 3813 West Main Street, Belleville.  Online condolences can be made at www.hendersonfuneralhomes.net.