LeRoy Hershey, 76, of Etowah, died Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Etowah Health Care Center. Born in August 1935 in Poplar Bluff, Mo., he moved to Maryville in 1937, and then to Etowah in 1947. A son of the late Fay and Beatrice Hershey, he worked for Bowater Southern Paper Corp. from 1964 to 1995. He was the senior mechanical engineer of the "Smokey Project" to build the number five paper machine, the fastest and most efficient newsprint paper machine of its time. He held a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee. A member of the Etowah Lions Club for more than 50 years, he was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was actively involved in his church, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, where he was a member for 50 years serving in various capacities. He was an Eagle Scout and an active scouter for more than 60 years. He held various committee assignments and positions within Troop 74 on the district and conference level. He won several scouting awards including the District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver and the Stanley Erwin Award. He was active in his community, serving on various city committees throughout the years and was the recipient of the R. Frank McKinney and Cornerstone awards, given by the Etowah Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a 3rd Degree Mason with Etowah Masonic Lodge 653. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Ema McDonald. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Connie M. Hershey of Etowah; one daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Tracy Miller of Etowah; one son and daughter-in-law, Walter and Jennifer Hershey of Etowah; and two grandchildren, Max Miller and Addison Hershey, both of Etowah. Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Wednesday in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Pastor Aaron Pierce officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Green Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be representatives of Boy Scout Troop 74. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Brackner, Joe Horrocks, Steve Dunkle, Charlie Thompson, Tom Strickland, Doug Tullock, Durant Tullock and Dennis Underdown. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troop 74 of Etowah, c/o Dennis Underdown, P.O. Box 306, Etowah, TN 37331; or to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church at the same address.

Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements.