Elma Ruth (Schnars) Gette Smithmyer, 96, of Key Colony Beach, Fla., and formerly of Philipsburg, died Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Epworth Manor in Tyrone.
Born May 15, 1918 in Hawk Run, she was the youngest child and only daughter of Raymond Ralph and Minetta (Haywood) Schnars. She’s a descendant of J.F.W. Schnars of Hamburg, Germany; he came to Karthaus, Clearfield County, in 1815.
She was a member of the First Church of Christ, Philipsburg. She was a former member of the Centre County Republican Club. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed golfing and traveling. She was a homemaker and mother. She was a 1936 graduate of the Morris Township High School.
On Oct. 3, 1937 at the First Christian Church in Lemoyne, she married Dr. Luther Miller Gette of Philipsburg, the minister being her beloved brother, Clarence H. Schnars. They settled in Philipsburg, where Dr. Gette practiced dentistry until his death June 17, 1978.
On Nov. 21, 1981 at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Philipsburg, she married Clarence Edward Smithmyer of Altoona. He preceded her in death March 18, 1994. “Smitty” had been a second grandfather to the family.
Surviving are three sons, Luther Gette of Madison, Wis., and Alan Gette and his wife, Carla and Thomas A. “Tim” Gette, all of Philipsburg.
She is also survived by five grandchildren, Emily J. Gette-Doyle and her husband, Ryan, Elizabeth Sinclair and her husband, Allen and Thomas Gette and his wife, Mandi, all of Philipsburg, Vanessa Heeman and her husband, Russell of Munroe, Ohio and Jeffrey Gette and his companion, Andria Neff of Friendsville, Md.; nine great-grandchildren, Devin, Lila and Josie Tekely, Benton and Tanner Sinclair, Tyler, Tristan and Trey Doyle and Sienna Heeman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and both husbands, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Clarence, Raymond, Earl and Clyde Schnars. She was the last of her generation.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Monday at the First Church of Christ, Philipsburg, with the Rev. Timothy D. Richmond officiating.
Friends will be received from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, Philipsburg, and from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Monday at the church.
Burial will be at the Philipsburg Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the church social hall.
Elma Ruth (Schnars) Gette Smithmyer was greatly beloved by family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Philipsburg Historical Foundation, 203 N. Front St., Philipsburg, PA 16866.
Friends may sign the guestbook at beezerheathfh.com.