Donald Smith

Donald Smith, (lovingly called Buster or Smitty) age 94 of Tipton County peacefully passed away at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024 at the Elwood Health and Living Facility. 
 

Don was born on March 4, 1930 in Jefferson Township of Tipton County to Vivian V. Smith.  After birth he resided on the family farm of his grandparents, Frank & Julia Ann (Kelley) Smith, East of Little New York.  During his teenage years he worked on his grandparents’ 40 acre farm and helped several other farmers in the Little New York area. 
 

Don was a graduate of Jefferson Township School, Tipton County, in the Class of 1948 where he was a member of the basketball team.  He took great pride in being a Jefferson Yankee!  After graduation Don worked at the Triangle Inn where he met the love of his life, Roberta Zimmerman.  Before their wedding on October 24, 1953, he served in the US Army starting on April 18, 1951 which was during the Korean War.  After receiving his honorable discharge on April 9, 1953, Don returned to Indiana and started working at Pioneer Seeds in Tipton.  He was a faithful and dedicated employee until his retirement in 1984.  During that time he still farmed and raised livestock on the family farm he had purchased from his grandparents. 
 

Some of Don’s other jobs included hauling grain, with his wife Roberta at his side, to many elevators around central Indiana and running his own commodity business.  After retiring from Pioneer he volunteered his time at Howard Community Hospital in Kokomo and mowed many yards for free. 
 

In his free time, Don enjoyed watching IU Basketball and he attended many of his grandchildren’s sporting events.  He was a member of the Tetersburg Christian Church where he served as a Deacon for many years. 
 

Those left to carry on Don’s legacy are his son Michael (Cathy) Smith, Morgantown and daughter Cheryl (Pat) Comer of Tipton; one sister, Barb (Greg) Fowler, Eaton.  He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Traci (Brian) Reed, Nicholas (Wendy) Comer, Krista Doss, Chad (Brooke) Comer, Eric (Lauren) Smith, Kyle (Jessica) Comer, Tyler (Tasha) Smith, Courtney (Josh) Watts and Corey (Emily) Smith. 
 

Don's great-grandchildren are Ryan (Katie) Smith, Olivia Dinkens, Jacob Dinkens, Zoey Clardy, Brayden Reed, Brooke Reed, Brantley Reed, Bryar Reed, Blaise Doss, Jameson Downam, Makenna Comer, Macie Comer, Marika Herron, Xavier Herron, Eden Comer, Adelyn Comer, Levi Comer, Shaylan Morris, Paisley Comer, Preston Comer, Carter Watts, Emma Watts, Clark Smith, Ryder Rednour, Olivia Smith, Mason Smith, Millie Smith and another great-grandson, Beckett Smith who is due to arrive this September; one great-great-granddaughter, Delilah Smith as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins. 
 

Don was preceded in death by his mother and his step-father, Vivian & Fred Thorpe; his grandparents, Frank & Julia Ann Smith, wife Roberta and one son, Donald Lee Smith.  He was also welcomed into heaven by many other family members. 
 

Don’s funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Tetersburg Cemetery with military honors provided by the Tipton American Legion and the US Army.  Visitation will also be on Thursday from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. 
 

It was Don’s wish that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the Jefferson Township Alumni, c/o Mark Mason, 101 East Columbia, Attica, Indiana, 47918 to provide scholarships for Tipton High School Seniors who are decedents of Jefferson Township Alumni. 
 

Don’s family would like to thank the Elwood Health and Living and Guardian Angel Hospice for all of the love and care shown to him and his family over the last few months.