Charles Delmar Smith

YORK-It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Charles Delmar “Smitty” Smith, 100, who passed away peacefully on February 7, 2021, after a short illness. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Vivian. Smitty was born in Nebraska and raised on a farm, enduring the dust bowl with his family. He graduated from Superior High School in 1938. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1941, attending armament gunnery school. He went on to become an aerial gunnery instructor and taught Clark Gable during his tenure. During WWII he flew 5 missions in a B-17 over France and Central Europe. Smitty was honorably discharged in 1945, attaining the rank Technical Sergeant. After the war, while visiting an Army buddy in Hanover, PA, he met Vivian and soon settled down to start a family, having one daughter. They moved to Shiloh in 1955. The couple had been married for 50 years at the time of her passing in 1997. Smitty was hired by the Western Maryland Railroad, where he worked for 34 years, retiring in 1980. He was a member of Shiloh United Church of Christ, where he served on the consistory and volunteered in many capacities at the church. In retirement, he spent much of his time volunteering: for Habitat for Humanity, building homes, for Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, preparing and serving meals once a month for 25 years, and as a volunteer firefighter at Shiloh Fire Company. He was a dedicated Red Cross blood donor, giving as often as he could. Smitty enjoyed vegetable gardening, bowling, and golfing. He resided at Country Meadows of York for the last 11 years. Smitty will be dearly missed by his family: daughter and son-in-law, two grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He also leaves eight nieces and nephews who adored him and affectionately called him Uncle Delm. He was preceded in death by seven siblings. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, 331 S. George Street, York, PA 17401. Services will be private. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd. in York is assisting the family with the arrangements. We welcome your condolences at HeffnerCare.com. CLICK HERE TO SEND FLOWERS