Hartford City
Janet E. Smith, 74, passed away Friday, March 28, 2014 at
home surrounded by her family.
She was born in Fort Wayne on May 3, 1939 to Leonard J. and
Martha Jane (Hanley) Douglas and graduated from Central Catholic High School,
Fort Wayne, in 1957. She attended Ball State University and married Joseph M.
Smith on July 25, 1958 in Fort Wayne.
A homemaker, Janet was a member of St. John the Evangelist
Catholic Church, Altar-Rosary Society and helped at the New to You Shop. Janet
was a founding member of Cancer Support for Blackford County and was currently
on its Board of Directors. She was a facilitator for Angels of Hope Breast
Cancer Support Group in Blackford County and a member of Bosom Buddies Breast
Cancer Support Group in Muncie. She was vice president of I.U. Health Blackford
Hospital Auxiliary, volunteered in the Auxiliary gift shop, and served on the
Medical Scholarship Committee for Blackford County. Janet also co-chaired the
Survivors Committee for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life for many
years and volunteered for the Red Cross Blood drives.
Janet’s mission in life was to be the best wife and mother
she could be and to be a friend to many and often a lifeline to local residents
who received a cancer diagnosis and needed support all while she was fighting
her own battle.
Surviving are: her husband, Joseph; daughter Lora Smith; sons,
Chris, Curtis and Brett Smith; grandchildren, Zackarrie, Cameron and Nathan
Smith; brothers, Robert Douglas and Joseph Douglas and sister, Sharon K. Ball.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Dave
Newton at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 2 in St. John the Evangelist Catholic
Church, 209 S. Spring St., Hartford City.
Friends may call on Tuesday, April 1, from 3 – 8 p.m. at
Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City. A Christian Wake
Service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Memorials may be made to Cancer Support for Blackford County
with envelopes available at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at:
www.watersfuneralhomes.com.
