Larue A. Smeltz, 98, of Mechanicsburg, passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025 at her home.

She was born Sunday, December 26, 1926 in Lykens Township, PA, daughter of the late Harvey and Carrie Crabb.

She had a few places of employment over the years including in a school cafeteria and at West Shore Theater but her predominant jobs and the ones she was most proud of were being a wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She was a skilled cook and baker and was most well-known for her pumpkin rolls and foods that reflected her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. If a family picnic was being held, you always knew she would be bringing baked beans and potato salad and often a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. Within five minutes of crossing her threshold, you would be asked if you wanted something to eat and you were typically given something no matter how you answered the question.

She will also be remembered as a woman of family and faith - she knew the names and life details of every generation up until her passing and she was a regular church goer and volunteer for many years. Although her family was blessed to have her for 98 years, it still seems too soon as she was her sharp and sassy self making her family and hospice team laugh until her last days.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Donna Mae and Ronnie Keefauver of Mechanicsburg; son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Audrey Smeltz of Harrisburg; daughter Sharon Hauber of Valparaiso, IN; daughter and son-in-law, Patty and Ken Houck of Mechanicsburg; son and daughter-in-law, Kim and Lori Smeltz of New Cumberland; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Debbie Smeltz of Enola; 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Guy Smeltz, by her son-in-law Ronnie Hauber, as well as by her 7 siblings.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, May 2 at Malpezzi Funeral Home in Mechanicsburg with Pastor Lynn Hochstetler officiating. After a luncheon at First Church of God in Mechanicsburg, interment will take place in the St. Peter's (Hoffman's) Cemetery, Lykens. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Friday at the funeral home.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home or in lieu of flowers donations can be made to her church - First Church of God, 28 East Main St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.