Paul Michael Smerdell, 65, originally from Blacksville passed away Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring, Fla.
He was born to Joseph Smerdell and Jean Barnett Smerdell on Oct. 21, 1955. He was a 1973 graduate of Clay-Battelle High School and a coal miner retiring from Consol Blacksville #2 mine. During his retirement, he split his time between his homes in Blacksville and Lake Whales, Fla.
Paul is survived by his wife, Sonya Smerdell, of Lake Whales, Fla.; three daughters, Christina Rice and her husband Jason, of Enterprise, Charity Willard and her husband Chris, of Wadestown, and Sarah Smerdell, of Blacksville; two brothers, Douglas Smerdell and his wife Tanya, of Daybrook, and Charles Pysh and his wife Karen, of Monrovia, Md.; two sisters, Tootie Gashie, of Dilliner, Pa. and Sandra Aller and her husband John, of Brownsville, Pa.; eight grandchildren: Jacob, Alaina, Aidan and Connor Rice, Courtney (Clark) Johnson, Gavin Harr, Brettany Tomberlin and Braylin Willard; one great-granddaughter, Addalynn Johnson; several nieces and nephews and two special nieces, Amy Bane, of Daybrook, and Emily Smerdell, of Pittsburgh; mother-in-law, Karen Crogan; and two sisters-in-law, Lynn Snipes and her husband Phil and Cheryl Woleslagle and her husband Ron, all of Virginia.
Mr. Smerdell was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Jean Smerdell; one brother, Arthur Smerdell; brother-in-law, Frank Gashie; and father-in-law, Thomas Crogan.
Paul was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed his hunting trips to Canada with his long-time friend, John Mitchell. He also enjoyed home improvement projects and was proud to show them off when they were completed. He loved his daughters and grandchildren very much. He was involved in sports and celebrations of any kind when it came to them. He was the best shopper for Barbies for his great-granddaughter, Addalynn, and she was always excited to get the new ones from Papaw Paul.
Disney World was one of his favorite places that he has enjoyed many times over the years with family and friends.
With splitting his time between West Virginia and Florida, he attended church services regularly in both places and was always willing to lend a hand to other churches in the area as well.
Paul touched many lives with his smile, laugh, stories and loving and upbeat personality.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of the third floor and ICU at Highlands Regional Medical Center for his care.
At Paul’s request, there will not be a service and he will be cremated. Marion Nelson Funeral Home is in charge of those arrangements. There will be a private service at a later date in Blacksville.
The obituary is courtesy of the Tennant Funeral Home in Hundred.
