James V. "Pud" Smith

James V. "Pud" Smith, 79, of Latrobe, died Wednesday, May 30, 2007, in Heartland Hospice House of Westmoreland. He was born Nov. 1, 1927, in Pitcairn, son of the late John L. Smith and Marie Pearl Davis. He was a retired conductor for Conrail with 40 years and eight months of service. Pud was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. Pud was a member of American Legion Post 515, of Latrobe, and former member of Post 256, Pitcairn. He served as commander of Post 256 in 1983 and of Post 515 in 1992 and 1993. He served as chef-de-gare of Voucher 46 40/8 in 1963, was a member of V.F.W. Post 3414, a life member of D.A.V. Chapter 61, Turtle Creek and Amvets Post 13, Department of Maryland. He was also a life member of Kingston Veterans and Sportsman's Club, B.P.O. Elks 907, F.O. Eagles Arie 01188, Frontier Club, Goodwill Hose Company No.1 and Youngstown, Baggaley and Lloydsville Fire Halls. He served as captain of the Syria Clowns in 1976 and was awarded lifetime membership of Syria Temple of Pittsburgh. He also served as grand tall cedar of Westmoreland Forest No. 77 Tall Cedars of Lebanon, served as most excellent high priest of Thomas B. Anderson Royal Arch Masons Chapter #309 and served as eminent commander of Knights Templar, Greensburg. He was a past master of Loyalhanna Lodge No. 275 F. & A.M., Latrobe. He served as worthy patron of the Eastern Star Chapter 221 for seven years and was a past president of the Latrobe Area Masonic Association, Knights of Columbus Council No. 940 and was a 4th degree member of St. Vincent Assembly and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America Inc. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas J. Smith. He is survived by his wife, Margaret "Midge" (Bishop) Smith; a son, Thomas G. Smith and his wife, Letitia, of Las Vegas; a daughter, Janet Bunch and her husband, Robert, of Steilacoom, Wash.; four grandchildren, James Robert Bunch, Sean, Crystal and Wyonna Smith; a great-granddaughter, Alexandra Scarlett Bunch; his brother, J. G. (Snuffy) Smith, of Latrobe, and two sisters, Peg Kenny, of Latrobe, and Elizabeth Peffer, of Cleveland. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., Latrobe. Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Derry Township. The following organizations will conduct services in the funeral home, the Loyalhanna Lodge No. 275 F&AM at 7 p.m. Saturday and Chapter No. 221 Order of the Eastern Star at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 940 at 7 p.m. Sunday, and the Anthony Angelo F.O.E. Aerie 01188 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The combined funeral detail of American Legion Post #515 and VFW Post 3414 will provide military honors at 8:45 a.m. Monday in the funeral home.