Stephen Smicker

Stephen W. Smicker, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. He was born to Stephen Smicker and Emma (Drausch) Smicker on July 2, 1932, in Allentown, PA.

After graduating from Allentown Central Catholic High School, Stephen joined the U.S. Air Force. He completed his basic training in Sampson Air Force Base in NY and was stationed at James Connelly Air Force Base near Waco, TX. This is where he met his "Yellow Rose of Texas" and love of his life, Donna Jo Carey. They were married on November 23, 1955, at St Mary Church of the Assumption in Waco, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past November.

After the Air Force, Stephen began his 35-year career with the General Electric Company (GE) starting in Philadelphia in Graphic Arts for the Re-Entry Vehicle Department. He advanced through management positions in various GE offices in Valley Forge, PA, the NASA Mississippi Test Facility, and Schenectady, NY, before landing in Erie, PA, in 1972. He worked in various areas in the Erie plant including Plant Security and Locomotive Purchasing. After retiring from GE in Erie, he provided consulting services for a couple of years before fully retiring. Stephen consistently took advantage of educational opportunities through GE, and was a testament that you can go far with just a high school diploma, determination, and hard work. He remained in the Harborcreek area after retirement and maintained lifelong friendships with people and families he met at every stage of the journey.

Stephen was gifted with his many hobbies and interests including hunting, fishing, drawing, carving, tending to his grapes, history and archeology. He was interested in American Indian culture from his childhood and often shared his extensive knowledge of the topic with scout troops and students.

He was a member of a number of organizations including the American Legion and Our Lady of Mercy Church. He volunteered at the Ella Cochran Food Pantry for a number of years. And he was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone.

But his greatest joy was spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, whether it was taking them fishing, teaching them the American Indian ways, playing his accordion for them, hunting with his son every year until he was 90, along with many other activities and adventures.

Stephen is survived by his adoring wife, Donna Jo; his children, Stephen (wife, Kathryn), Jeffery (wife, Kathleen), Timothy (wife, Heather), Jennifer, and Michael (wife, Hanako); nine grandchildren, Joshua, Zachary, Sarah, Emily, Benjamin, Isaac, Nicholas, Alexa, and Evan; and three great grandchildren, Sloane, Rhys, and Fia.

Friends will be received at Our Lady of Mercy Church on Friday, February 27th, from 10 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 am. Interment will be held at St Gregory Cemetery at 2 pm with Military Honors rendered by the North East American Legion Post 105. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorials to the Ella Cochran Food Pantry, 837 Bartlett Rd, Harborcreek, PA 16421 or Our Lady of Mercy Church, 837 Bartlett Rd, Harborcreek, PA 16421. Condolences may be sent to www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.