John D. Smiley

John D. Smiley, 88, a longtime resident of Lansdale, died Thursday, January 1, 2026.He was the beloved husband, for over 65 years, of the late Cynthia G. Smiley, who diedMay 25, 2025.

Born July 14, 1937, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Charles Burr and Leona Emma (Leppelmeier).

John was a dedicated servant of the North Penn community. He was active with the Lansdale Lions holding the positions of President and Treasurer. He acted as Judge of Elections for 30 years. He was an elected Lansdale Borough councilman serving as Vice-President and Chairman of Public Works, Public Safety, Parks & Recreation, and Electric committees. While serving on council he liked to think of himself as a "Town Father". He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale, and was a Meals on Wheels driver, delivering food to people in the community for over a decade.

John received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1960 from Lehigh University. He was a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). He began his career at Jones and Laughlin (J & L) Steel Company in Pittsburgh. He left J & L after 5 years. He spent the majority of his working career as an engineer for Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), in Lansdale. After retiring from Merck, he continued working part time at the North Penn Water Authority (NPWA); doing what he loved, Project Engineering. He retired a second time after working at NPWA for 18 years.

He is survived by three children, Rebecca L. (Smiley) and husband Gerard Wolf of Hunt, TX, Randolph J. Smiley and wife Brenda C. (Swary) of Hellertown, PA and Alexander P. Smiley and wife Jill (Readle) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Douglas G. Wolf and wife Patricia, Daniel R. Wolf and wife Kersten, Emma C. Smiley, Ethan C. Smiley, Morgan J. Smiley and William P. Smiley and great granddaughter, Olivia R. Wolf; his sister, Carol A. (Smiley) Roe, Brookfield, WI; along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Suzanne Smiley and a son, Douglas John Smiley.

The family will receive friends starting at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 12, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W Main St. Lansdale, PA 19446; followed by the Funeral at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, Huntingdon Valley, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in his memory to one of the following:

Lansdale Lions Club
c/o Ed Albaugh
308 Pioneer Spur
Lansdale, PA   19446-6309
check payable to Lansdale Lions Club

Generations (Meals on Wheels)
259 N. 2nd St.
Souderton, PA   18964
check payable to Generations
website: www.generationsofiv.org (donate now button)

St. Labre Indian School
National Processing Center
P.O. Box 758652
Topeka, KS   66675-9809
check payable to St. Labre Indian School
donor toll free number: 1-866-753-5496
website: www.stlabre.org/ways-to-give
EIN # 81-0244542 Church, 1000 W Main St. Lansdale, PA 19446; followed by the Funeral at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, Huntingdon Valley, PA.

Arrangements are by the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home in Lansdale.