Brought
to you by:
Brought
to you by:

Sarah Jane (Shoemaker) Smith 1943-2026

Sarah Jane Smith, 82, of Newville passed away Monday April 20, 2026 at Claremont Nursing and Rehab, Carlisle. 

Sarah Jane (Shoemaker) Smith
Sarah Jane (Shoemaker) Smith

She was born December 4, 1943 in Shippensburg, a daughter of the late Jesse B. and Edna Swanger Shoemaker Sr. 

Jane had worked at Newville Shoe, and also as a baby sitter for many years. 

She was a member of the Green Spring First Church of God, she belonged to TOPS, and was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Friendship Hose Co #1. 

She is survived by three daughters Cathy Gilbert and her husband John, Penny Rowe and her husband Chuck, and Judy Troop and her husband Steve; seven grandchildren, 14 great grand children; one brother Jesse B. Shoemaker Jr., and one sister Janet Radabaugh. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles L. Smith Sr. who passed away June 25, 2020, and her son Charles L. Smith Jr, two brothers George Shoemaker, and Jerry Shoemaker and two sisters Anna Mae Thomas, and Geraldine Schorr. 

A viewing will be held Friday April 24, 2026 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Green Spring First Church of God 1140 Greenspring Road, Newville.

A funeral service with Pastor Walter Hock officiating will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Church.

Burial will follow in Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle. 

The family would like to thank Hospice of Central PA for the wonderful care they provided their mother.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sarah Jane (Shoemaker) Smith, please visit the floral store.


MORE OBITUARIES


Runaway Juvenile

On 11/05/26 at 0725 hours, Spencer Newman ran away from his residence. Newman is 5’9, 125 pounds, white male, brown eyes, brown hair and was last seen wearing a brown

Fred Allen Blocher 1943-2026

Fred Allen Blocher, 83, of Gardners, PA passed away Saturday, October 24 2026 at his home. Born October 19, 1943 in Gettysburg, he was the son of the late Fred

Frank Charles Henry 1945-2026

Born January 4, 1945 in Washington, D.C., Frank was an avid Civil War enthusiast who loved to share his knowledge with others.

Who We Are

The Franklin County Free Press, established by Vicky Taylor in 2019, emerged as a beacon of local journalism for the residents of Franklin County. Under Vicky's leadership, it quickly became an essential source of news, particularly at a time when major newspaper publications were increasingly overlooking local coverage.

On January 1, 2022, the torch was passed to Nathan Neil and his firm, Neil Publishing, LLC. Neil, a local entrepreneur with multiple thriving businesses in Chambersburg, shares Vicky's fervent commitment to both the community and the world of local journalism.

Rooted in the heart of Franklin County and powered by its residents, the Franklin County Free Press continues to bridge the gap, ensuring that the local stories, events, and issues that matter most to the community remain in the spotlight.