Ronald A. Smeden

Ronald A. “Ron” Smeden, 55, of Hanover, loving husband of Annamarie “Anne” Smeden, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 27, 2022 at UPMC Hanover with his family by his side.

Born on Tuesday, November 22, 1966 in Perth Amboy, NJ, he was a son of Edward Peter Smeden and the late Carole Ann Werner Smeden. He received his Bachelor of Science degree with honors from Albright College in Reading and proudly served his country in the US Air Force as a Radar Jamming System Specialist having received the Outstanding Unit Award and Overseas Long Tour Ribbons and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Ron was employed by General Electric Medical for many years and most recently by Philips Healthcare as Director of Service Management.

Ron was a member of the Hanover YMCA, and as an aficionado of craft beer, he was a member of the Aldus Brewing and Sign of the Horse Brewery Mug Clubs. As the organizer of all things fun, Ron was the founder of “Hops on the Bus”, a microbrewery tour he would organize for family and friends. “The Diesel”, as he was also known, was the pioneer and commissioner of the Scranton Old Timers Fantasy Football League for more than 30 years, and was an avid Washington Redskins and New York Yankees fan. Ron enjoyed traveling and organizing the activities for a given adventure. He was a hard worker who had a larger than life personality and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone that needed help. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather that will be long remembered as the patriarch of the family.

In addition to his father and wife with whom he shared 24 beautiful years of his life, are three children, Alecia Hemler, Erik Hemler and his wife, Julie, and Nicole Ellenberger and her husband, Nathan; his beloved grandchildren, Christopher (age 15), the twins Marco and Matthew (age 13), Lucy (age 10), and Lucas (age 9); a brother, Edward Smeden and his wife, Cheryl; nieces and nephews, Edward Jr., Chyna and Kaylee; and many cherished friends. He is “Big Love” and he shared that everywhere and with everyone.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Panebaker Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, Inc., 311 Broadway, Hanover. Following cremation, a committal service will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, June 6, 2022 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.

Ron’s favorite saying was, “Hey guys, listen up!” and would want all who knew him to enjoy an IPA in his memory.