Israel L. Smith

Israel L. “Izzy” Smith age 87 of Kesterholt Road Reynoldsville, PA; died on Saturday October 14, 2023 at Penn Highlands Jefferson Manor in Brookville, PA. Born on October 2, 1936 in Reynoldsville, he was the son of the late Israel and Barbara Mae Lingenfelter Smith. On April 21, 1956 he was married to Margaret A. “Peggy” Kesterholt and she survives. Izzy quit school after the 9th grade and went to work on the railroad. He then went to work in the maintenance department at Brockway Glass where he was employed for 35 years. He at any given time was always working 2 jobs most of his life. While working at Brockway Glass he was also working in the woods cutting trees with Mutt Smith, was working construction and home building with Smokey Reynolds and later on sold mutual funds and insurance. Izzy enjoyed beekeeping and always planted at least 4 gardens. He was continuously improving the land that he called “Home”. He also enjoyed planting fruit trees and often experimented with grafting different kinds of trees together. Later in his life he went back to school and acquired his GED, and continued to take courses to improve his skills and learn new ones through ICS. In 2006 he suffered a stroke and was not expected to survive. With the care of his wife and daughters, Izzy lived the best life possible for his situation. He never lost his sense of humor and continued to make the best of life. In addition to his wife he is also survived by 4 daughters: Joni (Dan) Williams and Marti (Tim) Fenstermaker both of Reynoldsville; Valri Knoch of Brookville and Barbi (Terry) Gadley of Gainesville, FL; 2 sisters: Aldine Hecker and Ethel Hooper; grandchildren: Tricia (Levi) Stallings, Khira (Doug) Walker, Aubrey (Justin) Sturdivant, Daniel (Angie) Brewer, Jacob (Nicole) Gadley and Jamie (Seth Melton) Knoch. He is also survived by 9 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by an infant son, a grandson Israel James Fenstermaker; 2 great granddaughters Izabelle Renee Sturdivant and Taylor Mae Sturdivant; an infant sister Barbara and sisters Beatrice Wunz, Louise Hickman; 5 brothers: Daniel Smith, Calvin Smith, Leonard Smith, Harry Smith and Robert Smith. Visitation will be on Monday October 16 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. in Brockway and again on Tuesday October 17 from 2 PM to 4 PM also at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately follow at 4:00 PM with Pastor Ellen Bullock officiating. Burial will follow in the Temple Cemetery in Hazen. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donors choice. 

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