Joan M. Smith

Joan M. Smith, 87, formerly of Osceola, died on Friday, March 20, at Hamilton Communities in New Carlisle. She was born Dec. 29, 1927, in South Bend to William and Mary (White) Hartley. She married Chester Smith Sept. 11, 1970. He died March 31, 1993.

She is survived by one son, Craig (Evelyn) Kirkwood of Edwardsburg, Mich.; one daughter, Tracy (Stephen) Bibler of Elkhart; two grandchildren, Chris (Melissa) Lello of Elkhart and Amy (Jeff) Abigt of Lakeville; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Melville and Carl Hartley, and a sister, Marie Retter.

Joan and her husband lived for many years at Painter Lake in Cass County. Mich. and were part owners of the Painter Lake Marina. She later worked as a postal clerk at the Osceola Post Office until retirement.

She enjoyed traveling, especially to visit relatives in Canada, where her parents were born. She was a distant relative of Wallace Hartley, the bandleader on the Titanic.

Joan was a graduate of John Adams High School in South Bend where she was a member of the Dreamers Club. The gals kept their friendship alive throughout their adult lives and took several trips together. She worked at Wheelabrator in Mishawaka where she was a member of the Julianna Club. She also was a member of the Osceola United Methodist Church. Due to the sensitivity of a family member, please refrain from wearing scented products to the funeral home.

Friends may call from noon Wednesday at Zimmerman-Inman Funeral Home, Osceola, until the service at 1 p.m. The Rev. Bob Vale, pastor of the Osceola United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Osceola Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Hamilton Communities, where Joan lived the last years of her life, and to Heartland Hospice.

Memorials may be given to the Osceola United Methodist Church, Hamilton Communities, Heartland Hospice or to the charity of the donor's choice.