Donald Harry Smith

Donald H. Smith of Rensselaer, Indiana went to be with his Lord Monday, January 9, 2017. Don was born at home on May 26, 1934 in Remington, Indiana. He was the third child of Clarence Alonzo and Thelma Mae (Noland) Smith. Don began a childhood of fun with the neighborhood boys, attending and graduating from Remington High School in 1952. Some of his fondest memories included playing basketball for the Remington Rifles and ping pong with John Turner in his aunt’s basement. After graduation he and his best friend, Glen Stockment, started the Starlighters Orchestra. Their lifelong friendship started when Glen dropped Don’s lunch pail in a water puddle at the age of six. On February 20, 1960, Don married the love of his life, Judith Marie Pettet George in Rensselaer, Indiana. She survives. Don was a member of the First Christian Church serving as Elder, Trustee, and enjoying singing in the choir. He served in the US Army and attended South Bend College of Commerce. He began his working career as a bookkeeper for Rensselaer Auto Parts, later working as a self-employed agent representing Prudential Insurance, as a licensed Real Estate agent for Century 21, and doing private accounting for the Northwest Indiana Rural Crisis Center. Don was an avid woodworker and his family members have been the recipients of many treasures. His love of sports extended to IU basketball and the Chicago Bears football team. While the days of the Starlighters were certainly one of Don’s highlights his greatest enjoyment came from his family. His children are Jeff (Nancy) Smith, Annette (Victor) Mattocks and Julie (Mark) Hunsley and his nine grandchildren: Kristina Koons, Scott Mattocks, Ashley (Cory) Cheever, Ryan (Megan) Hunsley, Kyla (Zack) Simmons, Josh Smith, Rachel (Stephen) Dick, Jake Smith and Jon Smith. He was always very proud to tell everyone that he and his wife of 56 years had 33 people in their family. This included his 11 great grandchildren: Reagan and Christian Koons, Hunter and Brooklyn Cheever, Gabriel, Rylan, Malachi, Kaylyn and Azarel Simmons, Mathew Hunsley and Zeke Dick. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Thelma Smith, and his sibling’s Bobby Smith and Doris Eldridge. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with calling beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer. Pastor Andy Majorins officiating. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be given in honor of their grandson, Jonathan Smith, to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation for “Team Jon”, or to the First Christian Church of Rensselaer.

Donald Harry Smith

May 26, 1934 - January 9, 2017