Ernest H. Smith December 7, 1920 February 3, 2012 Portland - Ernest H. Smith, ""Smitty"", 91 of South Portland, died unexpectedly, Friday, February 3, 2012, with his family by his side at the Maine Medical Center. Ernie was born in Portland on December 7, 1920, the son of the late Ernest H. Sr, and Ruth Smith (Rich). He grew up in the Munjoy Hill area and attended Portland Schools, graduating from Portland High School in 1938. In 1939, Ernie enlisted in the United States Army. He was very proud of his military service. During World War II he served in Africa and Europe reaching the rank of Sergeant in the 68th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battallion. He later served in the National Guard. In 1942, he met the love of his life, Margaret R. (Chafe), whom he married in 1945. Together they raised three daughters and were married for 54 years before her passing in 1999. Ernie was a long-time employee of the U.S. Postal Service. He worked for many years on the trains sorting mail, retiring in 1977 as a Rural Mail carrier. Following his retirement, he then began a new 25 year career as a funeral attendant, beginning at the former Hutchins Funeral Home on William St. in Portland. Throughout his life, wherever he went, Ernie always ran into someone he knew. He truly enjoyed being able to help others and lived independently and was active until his death. Beside his parents and his wife Margaret, he was predeceased by his brother Howard Smith, two sisters, Priscilla Putnam and Helen Simonetti, a great-granddaughter, Kaitlynn DeWever and a great-grandson, Justin Horton and numerous other relatives and great friends. He is survived by his daughters, Sandra Hodgdon and her husband Jonathan of Gorham, Roberta Hutchins and her husband Mark of Scarborough and Karen Krenke and her husband David of Allentown, PA. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Ernie is also survived by a brother, Barton Rich of Florida and a sister, Nancy Tuttle of Portland and several nephews and nieces. Friends and relatives are invited to gather with his family during visiting hours at Independent Death Care of Maine, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland, on Monday, February 6, 2012 from 5-8pm. An additional period of visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 between 10 and 11am, followed by a funeral service at 11am. Interment with Military Honors will be held at Forest City Cemetery, South Portland, immediately following his service. The family would like to thank the staff of the Emergency Department, SCU and Security at Maine Medical Center for their care and compassion of Ernie and his family during his final hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St. Portland, ME 04102; or the charity of your choice. To offer words of condolence and share memories with the family, please go to www.independentdeathcare.com.