| Graduation Year | Class of 1967 |
| Date of Passing | Sep 28, 2014 |
| About | Franklin D. Smith, 65, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis as a result of injuries from an equipment accident on Sept. 23 in a nature conservation area on his tree farm in southern Decatur County. He was born Jan. 28, 1947 in Greensburg as the son of the late William F. Smith and Ileen Smith who survives. He grew up in Rushville and graduated from Rushville High School in 1967. He married Deborah Loudenbeck on Feb. 12, 1972 and had two children, Amanda Smith and Robyn Smith, all three of whom survive. After graduation from Butler University in 1971, he moved to Decatur County, became a certified water utility consultant and created a utility construction company. He was the manager of the City of Greensburg’s upland water project to preserve water for the city’s future. He also served on the Decatur County Board of Health. He was the operator and part owner of Lake Santee Utilities until it was sold in 1991. He then became a real estate broker and an Indiana certified real estate appraiser. He was self-employed his entire life and retired a few years ago because of his health. He loved nature and was always engaged in canoeing, camping and other outdoor activities. In pursuit of that love, he created a large tree farm. In 1984, he received the Louisville Courier Journal’s Tom Wallace award for the most outstanding tree farm within their publishing area. He is also survived by his older brother, William O. Smith, of Greensburg and his younger sister, Susan Smith Pieper, of Evansville, along with two nephews and a niece. At Frank’s request, there will be no funeral or visitation. Memorial donations should be given to an organization of the donor’s choice. His ashes will be spread at his family’s cabin in Franklin County. A private remembrance will be held at a later time. Donor acknowledgements or sympathy expressions may be sent to the family in care of William O. Smith, P.O. Box 283, Greensburg, Indiana 47240. |
