Miriam Irene (Hoffman) Kempf-Smith

     Miriam Irene Kempf-Smith, 97, died Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at the Altoona Center for Nursing Care, Altoona.

     She was born July 1, 1922 in Altoona a daughter of the late Lloyd Custer and Ruth Irene (Henry) Hoffman.

     She married Albert David Kempf, Jr. in 1950 in Lancaster.  He died February 14, 1959. She then married William Murray Smith on May 1, 2008 in Gainesboro, VA at the United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend William Withers.

     Surviving are her loving husband; two daughters, Debra Krist and Joanie Kempf both of Altoona; grandchildren, Melissa Leidy (Kevin) of Roaring Spring and Lindsay Bainbridge (Stuart) of Dubai, UAE; great grandchildren, Breanna and Taylor Leidy, and Henry and Charles Bainbridge; step-children William H. Smith (Susan), Kathy Sprankle (Richard), and Cindy Wertz (Donald); three nieces, a sister in law, and numerous step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

     She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Charles Hoffman.

     She was a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Altoona.

     Miriam was a 1940 graduate of Altoona High School.

     She retired as a cafeteria manager from the Altoona Area School District in 1984 after 20 years of service, mostly at the Roosevelt Junior High School cafeteria.

     She also was a member of Blair Senior Center, Horseshoe Senior Dinner Dance Club, Golden Nuggets, and Eldo Squares.

     Miriam enjoyed modern and square dancing, cards, doing word puzzles, going to the beach, and taking rides.

     In her later years, she and Bill loved spending time at Seneca Lake, NY. She also worked in her retirement as a foster grandparent.

     A special thank you to the caring staff at the Altoona Center for Nursing.

     Friends will be received from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, December 29, 2019 and from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2019 at Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc., 501 Sixth Avenue, Altoona where a funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon) with Rev. Evelyn Madison of Wehnwood United Methodist Church officiating. 

     Interment will be made at Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona.

     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations please be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 200 Third Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 or to Wehnwood United Methodist Church, 2511 Juniata Gap Road, Altoona, PA 16601.

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