Donald L. Smith

Donald L. Smith, 84, of Sparta died on Nov. 14, 2013 in Newton, with his loving family by his side.

Donald was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. to Emery and Viola Smith. He has resided for the past 36 years in Sparta.

Donald served his country proudly in the US Army from 1946 to 1949. He attended Purdue University earning his Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering. He was granted a fellowship in engineering research from Standard Oil, working for the company after earning his Ph.D. Through the years, he was employed by Magnavox, Collins Radio and Rockwell Industries.

Donald was employed for 29 years as a mechanical engineer for the US Department of Defense, retiring in 1994 from Picatinny Arsenal. He was a very active member of the Sparta United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees, Missions Committee and as the Church Treasurer. He was generous with his time, volunteering in the Church Mouse Thrift Shop and as a former Boy Scout Leader.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Wilma (Howard) Smith; a son, Steven J. Smith and his wife Gretchen Sundstrom-Smith of Budd Lake; daughter Linda M. Cappaert and her husband Richard of St. Louis, Mo.; sister, Margaret Gaylord, Binghamton, N.Y.; sister–in-law Wanda Wanck, Endicott, N.Y.; six grandchildren Andrew, Cassandra, Karlee and Arianna Sundstrom-Smith, and Elyssa and Rebecca Cappaert.

He was predeceased in death by his brother, Thomas, sister Eleanor Ritter, and grandson, Henry T. Cappaert.

Funeral service was held at Goble Funeral Home 22 Main Street, Sparta. A Celebration of Life for Donald will be held at a later date.

Contributions can be made to the Sparta United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 71 Sparta Avenue, Sparta, NJ 07871 or to the American Cancer Society.