Gene K. Smeltzer

RED LION- Gene K. Smeltzer, 79, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2018 at York Hospital. He was the husband of the late Shirley J. (Snell) Smeltzer. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018 at Bethlehem Stonepile United Methodist Church, 250 Bethlehem Church Rd. in Red Lion. His pastor, The Reverend Thomas R. Osenbach will be officiating at the service. Viewings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday at Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place in Red Lion and 10-11 a.m. on Friday at the church. Burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens in York. Mr. Smeltzer was born in Windsor on February 27, 1938, the son of the late Bernice (Smith) Shenberger and was preceded in death by his step father, Morris Shenberger. He was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Rock A. Harvey. He worked for the former Campbell Chain retiring from Cooper Tools. He had previously worked for House of Windsor. Mr. Smeltzer was a member of Bethlehem Stonepile United Methodist Church. He and his wife founded the Stonepile/Springvale Covenant Food Pantry and had previously founded the Bittersville United Methodist Food Pantry. He had a personality that was bigger than life and brought joy to many people’s lives. He had a lifelong love of farming. Mr. Smeltzer leaves a daughter, The Reverend Kathy Harvey Nelson and her husband, Hillary of Hellam; a son, Tracey G. Smeltzer and his wife, Joan of York; five grandchildren, Courtney Harvey, Benjamin Harvey, Carrie Smeltzer, Katie Smeltzer, and Richard Smeltzer; two brothers, Lee Shenberger and his wife Cheryl and Todd Shenberger and his wife Sharon; and nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stonepile/Springvale Covenant Food Pantry, 250 Bethlehem Church Rd, Red Lion, PA 17356.