Joanna L. Smith

Joanna L. Smith, 82, North Manchester, IN died at 11:11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2014 in Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne, IN. She was born September 28, 1931 in Flora, IN to Leo & Sarah (Angle) Spitler. She graduated from Flora (IN) High School in 1949 and Manchester College in 1953 and took classes at Butler University. During high school she spent 5 years in 4-H and earned a leadership award in 4-H. She played the marimba in high school and was church organist and pianist for many years. She majored in music at Manchester College and was very involved in the A cappella choir. She was involved in many music classes, piano & band at Manchester College. On August 26, 1951 she married Dr. Lloyd H. Smith. He died December 2, 1983. Joanna was a homemaker and had worked at Allison General Motors for 6 summers and was an elementary school teacher at Westlake Elementary (near Indianapolis) for 4 years and Traverse City, MI for 1 year. She was a substitute teacher for 10 years in Ludington, MI. She was a member of First Brethren Church, North Manchester, IN and loved her family deeply and enjoyed spending time with them. She is survived by two sons, Brenton (Kelli) Smith, Denver, CO and Curtis (Ruth) Smith, Lansing, MI; two daughters, Lorinda (Edward) Visser, Webster, NY and Janelle (Chris) Walters, North Manchester, IN; two brothers Robert (Pat) Spitler, Flora, IN and Don (Elaine) Spitler, Warsaw, IN; Seven grandchildren, four step grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Family and friends may call Tuesday, July 8, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore Street, North Manchester, IN. Services will be Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore Street, North Manchester, IN. Pastor Kurt Stout and Pastor Edward Visser will officiate. Graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Flora, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Joanna L. Smith, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Senior Living Community, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962 or First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore Street, North Manchester, IN 46962. To send a private condolence to the Smith family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.