Stanley P. Smola Jr., 97, died Monday. Son of the late Stanley and Mary, he was born on Feb. 8, 1919, and was a longtime resident of Blakely. He was preceded in death by Pearl, his wife of 67 years.Stanley was a very gentle and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a devout Catholic who prayed the rosary daily. He had a deep love of God and his family meant everything to him. He will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.After graduation from Blakely High School in 1936, he worked for Bushko's Dairy until his induction into the Army in June 1941. Upon completion of Radio Operators School at Fort Riley, Kan., he was assigned to the 113th Cavalry Regiment (mechanized). From his assignment in England, he later participated in three campaigns to liberate France and Belgium, and attained the rank of Technician 5. He received the Purple Heart after being critically wounded in the Battle of the Bulge on Dec. 27, 1944. He was hospitalized until his honorable discharge on Aug. 14, 1946.Returning to Blakely, he later worked for a local wholesale food supply warehouse until his retirement. He was a member and past commander of the Shopa-Davey VFW Post 6082 and a member of the DAV and American Legion.Surviving are a son, Paul Smola and wife, Peggy, Blakely; a daughter, Roberta Koury, Eynon; grandchildren, Dr. Paul Smola and wife, Candida, Peckville; Renee Smola, Pen Argyl; Christopher Todd Koury, Eynon; Kyleen Scavazzo, Archbald; great-grandchildren, Avery and Aidan Smola and Nico and Paityn Scavazzo; a brother, Thomas Smola and wife, Mary Ann, Littleton, Colo,; numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Koury; sisters, Irene M. Smola, Eleanor Ann Smola, Helen Nuzback, Anna Smola; and brothers, Joseph, John and infant, Robert Smola.The Smola family would like to extend its sincerest gratitude and special thanks to Dr. Traci Galardi, the doctors and nurses and staff of Moses Taylor Hospital and the Hospice of the Sacred Heart.The funeral with military honors will be Friday at 9:30 a.m. from the Frank T. Mazur Funeral Home Inc., 601 Dundaff St., Dickson City, with Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City. Entombment St. Mary's Mausoleum, Dickson City.Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.In lieu of flowers, send memorial donations in the name of Stanley P. Smola Jr. to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 100 Williams St., Dunmore, PA 18510.For directions or to leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.