Don Schmelzer Obituary

Don Alan Schmelzer, 93, of Slippery Rock Township, and formerly of Slippery Rock Borough, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
He was born in Tarentum Borough, Allegheny County, on July 17, 1929, to Rudolph John Schmelzer and Margaret Hanna Gobert Schmelzer.
He graduated from Tarentum High School in 1948.
Don served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1952.
He married Georgia Mae Debor on Sept. 3, 1955.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in health and PH education at Slippery Rock State College, and an art degree with specialties in pottery and metal work.
He was a traveling physical education and health teacher for 26 years, serving five different Butler County communities. During summers, Don painted many structures in the community.
He was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church, and had served as an elder, trustee and Sunday school teacher.
Don was an EMT and was a part of the beginning EMT program inaugurated at the Slippery Rock Fire Department, and now developed into the Slippery Rock Rescue Team.
His favorite pastimes were fishing and gardening. He and Georgia always shared their surplus garden vegetables with friends and neighbors. His cash crop was garlic, and the townspeople always came to purchase his garlic. Don often won first, second and third place at the Lawrence County Fair for his garlic. Hunting was his second pastime, but he never liked killing anything, but it helped provide food for the family.
He was a longtime member and officer of the Slippery Rock Sportsman's and Boyers Sportsman's clubs. He was president of the New Castle Rockhound Club. He made jewelry from gemstones and did wire wrapping. Don also did lots of leather work and tooling, and made purses, wallets, holsters and gun cases.
Don was an avid golfer, and loved to play cards with friends and family. He enjoyed camping, bottle hunting and metal detecting.
Survivors include his wife, Georgia, at home; a daughter, Janice (David) Hinchberger; his sons, Alan and David (Deborah); his grandchildren, Brad (Gena) and Brooke Hinchberger, and Jessica Schmelzer; his stepgrandchildren, Denna G., and Derreck and David Dittmer; and his great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Lane Hinchberger, Emily Wright, Christian and Audrey Dittmer, and Dominick Dittmer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Howard, Chuck and Jim; and his granddaughter, Erin Hinchberger, who passed away in 1998.
SCHMELZER - The family of Don Alan Schmelzer, who died Tuesday, July 19, 2022, will receive friends from from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the Highland Presbyterian Church, 310 Franklin St., Slippery Rock. The Rev. Clark Sawyer and the Rev. Jeff Curtis will preside.
A celebration of life and fellowship will follow at the residence of David Schmelzer.
Interment will be in Slippery Rock Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Slippery Rock Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 117, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.