In 1953, when she was 18 years old, June Smith began serving as assistant organist at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Manheim. She transitioned to full-time organist in 1972, and she's been serving the church ever since.

St. Paul's will recognize June's 70 years of service with a celebration following the 9:30 a.m. worship on Sunday, July 23.

June, now 88, has been a member of St. Paul's since she was 5 years old, just about the time she began taking piano lessons. As a teenager, she took organ lessons from the church's organist, and when the organist moved away, Smith stepped in as her replacement.

"It's my way of serving. When I started playing, and the church started to pay us, I was being paid $2 a week," she recalled, noting that she bought her own music and that it cost her $5 a week to continue organ lessons, which she was taking with an instructor in Lancaster. "It was never about the money. I was just so thankful I had the opportunity to play and serve in this way."

Since November, June has been a resident of Pleasant View Communities, where she has a room in assisted living. She still drives, and she has no plans to retire from serving as organist, noting, "I'm going to keep playing as long as I am able and competent."

A mother of three, June was married to Clark Smith for almost 60 years before he passed away seven years ago. She also has three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, with another great-grandchild on the way.

Over the years, she estimates she's played the organ at more than 150 weddings and another 150 funerals, including the services for her mother, sister, brother and husband. "Some people asked me, 'How could you play for your husband?'" June remarked. "It was the last thing he asked me, and I told him, 'If I can play for your service, I will.' It was the last thing I could do for him."

June has filled in as organist for different churches in the Manheim area and has played at several graduation ceremonies at Manheim Central High School. She directed the children's choirs at St. Paul's for 20 years, with each of her children serving as her accompanist over the years.

At Pleasant View, she serves as organist once a month during the in-house church services. She also has a list of 45 cantatas she's accompanied over the years throughout Lancaster County.

When June found out the church wanted to honor her seven decades of service, she was hesitant. "I asked them not to," she stated with a laugh. "I'm a little embarrassed about it. I'm not playing for recognition. I just want to serve. Then the pastor sat me down and said, 'June, we just want to say thank you,' so I said, 'OK.'"