Smithfield War Memorial

During World War I, Cleve and several of his brothers served in the US Army. Cleve was a member of Company E of the 327th Infantry, 82nd Division, and shipped overseas on April 15, 1918. He was wounded in France during the horrific battle of the Argonne Forest on Oct. 12, 1918. His name is forever enshrined on the large war memorial in Smithfield, and he is profiled in the book, Uniontown's Part in the World War. 

The Walters resided for many years at Old Frame, where Cleve was a carpenter. He held a membership in Local 14689 of the United Steelworkers of America and the American Legion of Masontown.

Circa 1940, when the federal census enumeration was made, Cleveland was employed on a work crew in township road construction. U.S. Census records for 1950 show him and his son Herschel working together as laborers ona striping mining project.

They were members of the Presbyterian Church of Old Frame.

Obituary, 1993

During World War II, they endured worry and anxiety when son James served in the U.S. Army.

Cleve died in the Uniontown Hospital on Jan. 2, 1976, at the age of 84.

Eva survived him by 17 years. She passed away on March 22, 1993 in the Uniontown Hospital. She is buried in Fairview Cemetery. 

~ Son James C. Lowller ~

Son James C. Lowller (1924-2000) -- sometimes using the "Minerd" surname -- was born on May 14, 1924 in Smithfield.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

James was united in matrimony with Emma Jean Kelly ( ? -1994).

They were the parents of one son, John D. Lowller.

James was a longtime saw operator for E.W. Bowman Company in Uniontown and was a member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. He retired from Bowman in 1988. The family attended the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church.

Sadly, Emma Jean died on Aug. 2, 1994.

At the age of 75, on March 22, 2000, he succumbed at home. Burial was in Jacob's Lutheran Cemetery in Masontown, with graveside honors provided by his VFW post members.An obituary was published in the Uniontown Herald-Standard.

Son John D. Lowller ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He married Tina Albani and dwelled in Masontown, Fayette County. Their four children were Tina Miller, Annette Wroble, John L. Lowller and Mary Jo Brownfield.

• Granddaughter Tina Lowller married Greg Miller. In 2000, they lived in Smithfield.

• Granddaughter Annette Lowller wedded Jay Wroble. They resided in 2000 in Masontown.

• Grandson John L. Lowller made a home in Masontown.

• Granddaughter Mary Jo Lowller was united in wedlock with James "Jim" Brownfield. They have dwelled in Hopwood.

~ Son William E. "Buzz" Walters ~

Son William E. "Buzz" Walters (1927-2003) was born on July 24, 1927 in Nicholson Township, Fayette County.

He was a "Nicholson Township supervisor for 18 years, and was a local handyman, who enjoyed doing odd jobs and handiwork for family and friends," said the Uniontown (PA) Herald-Standard.

In about 1948, William was united in marriage with Dorothy May Stillwagon ( ? - ? ). Their union lasted for 55 years until the separation of death.

The couple produced four offspring -- Linda Kimmell, William E. Walters Jr., James D. Walters and Laura Hillen.

He passed away at the age of 75 on July 23, 2003. Interment was in Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery in Smithfield. The Uniontown Herald-Standard printed an obituary.

Daughter Linda Walters wedded (?) Kimmell. She was deceased by 2003.

Son William E. Walters Jr. married Deborah. Their home in 2003 was in Montclair, CA.

Son James D. Walters was joined in matrimony with Renee. They have dwelled in Smithfield.

Daughter Laura Walters married George Hillen. They have lived in Smithfield.

~ Son Herschel Duane Walters ~

Son Herschel D. Walters (1930-1993) -- also spelled "Hershal" -- was born in about 1930.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Evidence suggests that he killed another individual. He was represented by attorney Willliam E. Duffield, a former Pennsylvania state senator. On a charge of first degree murder, his first trial ended when a jury was deadlocked and a mistrial declared.

In his second trial, heard in Superior Court, he was found guilty on Jan. 8, 1988, and sentenced to life in prison. His attorney later was disbarred on the grounds of how he handled Herschel's case. Reported an Associated Press story in July 1994, "The court, in finding Duffield unfit to practice liaw in Pennsylvania, upheld a 1992 recommendation by the Hearing Committee of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. The Hearing Committee contended that Duffield, 72, of Uniontown, failed to notify a client, Herschel Walters, that Superior Court had upheld his first-degree murder conviction in time for Walters to file an appeal." 

He died in on Dec. 30, 1993. Burial was in Jacobs' Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in McClellandtown, Fayette County. A small metal plaque has marked his final resting place.

~ Daughter Pearl Louise "Ginger" (Walters) Moats ~

Daughter Pearl Louise "Ginger" Walters (1934-2025) was born on Dec. 3, 1934 in Bowood near Smithfield, PA.

She attended Masontown High School.

On March 31, 1951, she married Clarence Dawson Moats (March 31, 1929), son of Omer Moats of Smithfield. News of their engagement was printed in the Uniontown Evening Standard. Their union held fast over the thick and thin of an extraordinary 73 years together.

Clarence had attended Point Marion High School and at the time of marriage earned a living at Crucible Steel Company in the patch town of Crucible.

Together they made a home in Smithfield and bore a family, including Clarence Edward Moats, Barbara Long and Sharon Louise Moats. Grief blanketed the family when daughter Sharon died in infancy in Uniontown Hospital on Sept. 29, 1955. The baby's tender remains were laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery, Masontown.

In 1956, she accepted Jesus Christ as her lord and savior and was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Fairchance. One of her other great loves in life was bird-watching.

Their home in 2000-2025 was in Smithfield. Sadly, Pearl became afflicted with dementia in her later years. Said the Uniontown Herald-Standard, "Through she suffered from the effects of her condition, Pearl’s resilience was nothing of inspiring. She lived her life with grace and courage, always placing the needs of her family and friends above her own struggles."

At the age of 90, she passed away on Jan. 7, 2025. Pastor Michael Lyons led the funeral rites. Interment was in the Pleasant View Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smithfield. 

Son Clarence Edward Moats ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He received a bachelor of technology degree in electrical engineering in 1974 from Pennsylvania State University. Clarence entered into marriage with Melinda. They put down roots in Fairmont, WV.

Daughter Barbara Ann Moats ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She tied the marital cord with Randall Paul Long (Sept. 23, 1962-2020), son of Paul and Eloise (Whitehair) Long. Their union endured for 26 years until cleaved apart by death. The pair did not reproduce. For 38 years, he was employed by WVNET, a statewide information technology company. His career began there on Christmas Eve 1980 as a part-time I/O plotter clerk and eventually lead systems programmer the firm's services in email filtering. Said an obituary, "Among his 'network family' and friends, Randy was known for having a beautiful soul and huge heart. He opened his life to so many and had long-lasting friendships. He was a lover of nature (especially the beaches of OBX North Carolina), avid photographer, frequent contributor to the 'Growing Up in Morgantown' Facebook group, co-admin of the 'River Road' Facebook group and champion of the underdog. Circa 2020, they lived in Morgantown. The family was plunged into grief when Randall died at age 57 on March 9, 2020. His organs were donated to medical science. The remains were laid to rest in Pleasand View Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smithfield.

~ Son Robert Eugene Walters ~

Son Robert Eugene Walters (1946-2025) was born on Jan. 4, 1946 in Smithfield.

He married Mildred Shipley ( ? - ? ).

Their brood of children were Kenneth Walters, Roxanne Shutz and Robert Walters.

Robert was a longtime coal miner, employed by Halo Coal Company. He eventually retired from the firm.

Their residence in 2003 was in Smithfield.

Sadly, the angel of death cleaved him away at the age of 79 on March 8, 2025. His remains were laid to rest in the cemetery of the Fairview Church of the Brethren in Masontown.

Son Kenneth Walters married Jennifer.

Daughter Roxanne Walters wed Derek Shutz.

Stepson Robert Walters ( ? -living)

Copyright © 2001-2003, 2012, 2019, 2023, 2025 Mark A. Miner