| Graduation Year | Faculty |
| Date of Passing | Sep 19, 2010 |
| About | Rushville Republican September 22, 2010 Ellen J. Smith, 90, of Lafayette, passed away Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. Born Dec. 23, 1919 in Rush County, she was the daughter of Orville and Ruth (Laughlin) Martin, both deceased. She married Claude B. Smith Dec. 31, 1942; he preceded her in death in 1989. Survivors include her son, Rodney C. "RC" Smith of Lafayette. Mrs. Smith continued to live in Shelbyville after her husband died until moving to West Lafayette in October 2005. She was a homemaker and teacher. She began teaching first grade from 1940 to 1941 for Union Township School at Gings, where she attended elementary school. Her next teaching position was at Rushville City Schools from 1941 to 1943, where she met her future husband, another teacher at Belle Gregg Elementary School. After World War II she taught at Columbus City School, Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home in Knightstown, Rush County Schools, Rushville City Schools, Marion Community Schools and Shelby Eastern Schools. She was selected as Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in 1974. She and her husband retired in 1980. During World War II she became a camp follower of her husband, including Fort Wheeler, Macon, Ga., and later Fort Benning, Ga. While in Macon, she contributed to the war effort while working for U.S. Engineers and Warner Robins Air Service of Robins Field, Ga. They relocated to Columbus, working in the Civil Service, helping returning and disabled veterans find jobs. She attended Gings School in Rush County during the Great Depression, regularly sharing the lunches her mother prepared on their family farm with schoolmates who were less fortunate. She graduated from Rushville High School in 1937. That fall she enrolled in Indiana University, where she played piano for the dance band, was a member of Sigma Kappa, and graduated in 1940 with a degree in elementary education. Mrs. Smith was baptized at First Christian Church of Bloomington in 1937 and was a member of the Rushville Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star from 1939 to 1961. She was proficient at sewing and playing the piano. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service and Crematory, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Rushville's East Hill Cemetery. |
