Leah E Smith

Leah E. Smith, 94, of Kutztown, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013 in The Lutheran Home at Topton. She was the widow of Clarence J. "Smitty" Smith, who died April 15, 2001.

Born in Kutztown, she was a daughter of the late Herman D. and Edna L. (Sensenderfer) Oswald. Mrs. Smith was a member of St. Johns United Church of Christ, Kutztown, where she formerly served as a Sunday School teacher, and Director of Christian Education. She was a 1936 graduate of Kutztown Area High School, and a 1940 graduate of Kutztown State Teachers College, now Kutztown University. She received a Masters Degree of Education in reading in 1971. She was employed as an elementary school teacher by the Kutztown Area School District, teaching first grade from 1941 to 1946 and 1953 to 1966. She was the Reading Specialist from 1966 until her retirement in 1981. Prior to that, she was employed as an elementary teacher by Penn Township (Bernville) from 1940 to 1941.

Mrs. Smith was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees; Berks County Association of School Retirees, and was the past treasurer of the East Penn Association of School Retirees. She was a member of the Kutztown Womans Club since 1940. She also served on the Board of Directors of Kutztown Area Historical Society. Mrs. Smith received the General Alumni Association Citation at Kutztown University in 1975 and the Kutztown Jaycee Distinguished Service Award in 1990. Mrs. Smith enjoyed cross word puzzles, playing cards, and was a member of many card playing groups.

She is survived by Daughter, Susan Ellen (Smith), wife of Richard C. Seestedt, Horsham, Montgomery Co.; Son, Richard C., husband of Cathy (Gaul) Smith, Kutztown; Sister, Helen G. (Oswald), widow of Clarence R. Cartwright, Kutztown; Brothers, Ralph H., husband of Lagora (Benson) Oswald, Kutztown, Ray H., husband of Carol (Young) Oswald, Lancaster; Grandchildren, Sara E. Fahrenkamp, Peter R. Smith, Andrew J. Seestedt, Katelyn E. (Seestedt) Carbone, Christopher C. Seestedt; Step-Grandchildren, Dr. Richard C. Seestedt, Jr., Eric R. Seestedt; and Great Grandchildren, Colin and Nicholas Fahrenkamp, and Harper Smith. She was predeceased by a Sister, Mary L. (Oswald) Kemp; and a Brother, Kermit C. Oswald.

Memorial Services are Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 11:00 AM in St. Johns United Church of Christ, 257 West Walnut Street, Kutztown, 19530. Inurnment will be private at the convenience of the family in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown. Friends may call Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in the church.

The family requests contributions be made to St. Johns United Church of Christ, 257 W. Walnut Street, Kutztown, PA 19530, or The Kutztown Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 307, Kutztown, PA 19530. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.