SMITHFIELD — Joseph Walter Litwin, 100, formerly of Poland, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

Mr. Litwin was born on April 7, 1912, in Campbell, Ohio, a son of the late Alexander and Mary (Pograniczny) Litwin.

He lived in the family home on Water Street in Poland most of his adult life until moving to Virginia in 2004. Mr. Litwin graduated from North Jackson High School and was named the most outstanding scholar of Mahoning County in 1930. He continued his education and attended Youngstown State University. Mr. Litwin worked as a manager of tool engineering for GF Business Equipment Co., retiring in 1978 with 36 years of service.

He was a charter member of Highway Tabernacle Church in Youngstown, where he served as a deacon, church treasurer, Sunday school superintendent and Sunday school teacher. Joe was also a charter member of New Life Assembly of God in Poland.

Mr. Litwin celebrated his 100th birthday this past April with a party hosted by his family at Magnolia Manor Assisted Living in Smithfield. He will be remembered for his vigor and energy (even at the young age of 100), his passion for gardening and his love for God.

Joe will also be remembered as a beloved husband to his wife, the former Mary Jane Bogdan, whom he married in May of 1939. She preceded him in death on March 21, 2007.

Mr. Litwin leaves to cherish his memory his children, Dorothy Dalton, of Suffolk, Va., Joyce Sheppard, of Philadelphia, Pa., Judith (James) Burton, of Savannah, Ga., Nancy (Ed) Fowler, of New Braunfels, Texas, and Robert (Debra) Litwin, of Cincinnati; 10 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and siblings, Mary Barnes, of Berlin Center, Josephine Scott, of Union City, Calif., and William Litwin, of Youngstown.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Litwin was preceded in death by his siblings, Anna Skeebo, John Litwin, Katherine Zents and Helen Scott.

A service commemorating Joe’s life will be held Friday, July 6, at 3 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland, with the Rev. Duane Bull officiating.

Family and friends will be received on Friday from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service. Interment will be at Poland Riverside Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to a Christian charity of one’s choice.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

Local arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home.