Lucille H. Smith, 90, of Johnsonburg, died Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, 2015 at Elk Haven Nursing Home in St. Marys following a brief illness.

She was born Sept. 11, 1925 in Johnsonburg, daughter of the late George and Julia Brechtel Howard. On June 23, 1948, she married Richard J. Smith in Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg. He died April 12, 1997.

She lived all her life in Johnsonburg and graduated from Johnsonburg High School in 1943. She graduated from Indiana State Teachers College in 1947. She received a master's degree in education from St. Bonaventure University.

A lifelong member of Holy Rosary Church and devoted Catholic, for years she helped with counting offertory collections and with the parish festival.

Although not a service veteran, she was a true member of "The Greatest Generation." Lucille had the distinction of being the namesake for a WWII aircraft. Her brother Gerald won the draw to name the B24H Bomber he was assigned to with the 15th Air Force. The Ford-built aircraft was christened "Rough Deal Lucille" and the aircraft and crew completed their 50 missions.

She had been employed by the Johnsonburg Area School District from 1963 to her retirement in 1989. She had also been previously employed by the Punxsutawney School District at schools in Big Run and Sykesville. She took her teaching responsibilities extremely seriously, often spending evenings during every school year meticulously correcting and grading student exams and homework, sometimes past midnight. "Mrs. Smith" would frequently stay after school hours to assist students who needed help with instructions. She had the ability to recognize individual potential in her students and drove them to achieve their absolute best. Up to her death, Lucille took much satisfaction in former students telling her how much they appreciated her serious approach to their education, frequently mentioning how they daily use their typing, accounting or other skills in their careers.

She is survived by one son, Brian Smith and his wife Carol of St. Marys; one daughter, Janel, Mrs. Dr. James Miller of Madison, Wis.; three grandchildren, Jeffrey and Colin Miller and Laryn Smith; one brother, Gerald Howard and his wife Linda of Frankfort, Ill; and two nieces.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine Howard.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Lucille H. Smith will be conducted Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg. Officiating will be Rev. Frank Ziemkiewicz, OSB, Headmaster of the Benedictine Military School, Savannah, Ga. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Johnsonburg.

Friends will be received at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home, 401 Chestnut St., Johnsonburg on Tuesday evening, Oct. 6 from 6-8 p.m.
If desired, memorial contributions should be made to Holy Rosary Church, 606 Penn St., Johnsonburg, Pa. 15845. - See more at: