Shirley Louise Smith, 91, of Decatur, passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Adams Woodcrest. She was born in Decatur, IN, on December 7, 1932, the daughter of the late Edward F. and Mildred C. (Coffee) Berling. On June 20, 1953, she married George Medford Smith in the auditorium of St. Joseph Catholic School, as the present St. Mary’s was being built. After 68 years together, he preceded her in death on December 11, 2021.
She was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and was devout in the practice of her Catholic Faith. She was a 1950 graduate of Decatur Catholic High School and received a Secretarial Degree from International Business College in 1951.
Her main joy in life was being a homemaker and raising her 7 children and she took great pride in being a M.O.M., that is a “Mother of Many.” She also worked for Central Soya for several years and in the office of the Adams County Treasurer for 15 years.
She was a member of the Red Hat Society and was active for many years with the Bellmont High School Band Boosters. She was an avid card player, who was very competitive and was a member of the Bridge Club.
Shirley is survived by her 7 children, Yvonne M. (Terry) Eichorst, Kristine L. (Chris) Steck, Eric G. (Delynn Combs) Smith, Stuart E. (Lori Luginbill) Smith, Phillip L. (Kellie Bauman) Smith, Charlotte A. (Steve) Hartman, and Charmaine A. (John) Hostetler; 15 grandchildren, Jason Eichorst, Bridget Hodge, Brandon (Janie) Steck, Megan (Jared) Parrish, Joshua (Whittney) Smith, Macy Smith, Brean (Taylor) Gage, Kyle (Annalissa) Smith, Mitchell Hartman, Mackenzie Hartman, Madison Hartman, Tanner (Kelly) Hostetler, Brady (Emma) Hostetler, Mikayla Hostetler, and Austin Hostetler; 2 step grandchildren, Jonathan (Jessica) Fincher and Terran (Stormy) Clark; 9 great grandchildren, Cora Hodge, Elliot Hodge, Parker Parrish, Greyson Parrish, Lynlee Parrish, Selah Smith, Kenna Smith, Anndyn Gage, and Colsen Gage; 4 step great grandchildren, Jenner Fincher, Jentry Fincher, Bodi Clark, and Marleigh Clark; 2 great grandchildren on-the-way.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Theodore Berling and a sister, Patricia Handlon.
Visitation will be from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home, with a reciting of the Holy Rosary at 1:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, with visitation 1 hour prior in the St. Mary’s Parish Hall from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Father David Ruppert will be presiding and burial will immediately follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Memorials may be made to the A.C.C.F. Medford and Shirley Smith Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements were entrusted to Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home.
