Wilburta L. Smith

WILBURTA L. SMITH HARTFORD CITY, IN Wilburta L. Smith, 88, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at Miller’s Merry Manor. The daughter of Martin and Daisy (Lechien) Knecht, she was born February 18, 1921 in Hartford City. She graduated from Hartford City High School and married Van L. Smith on February 27, 1943. His death occurred on July 4, 2003. A homemaker, she was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Altar-Rosary Society and had volunteered at the New to You Shop. Surviving are: her children, Jerry (Jane) Smith, Mary (Bill) Morris, Martha Stauffer, Dennis (Pam) Smith, Patricia (Jerry) Richards-Niekamp, Van Smith, Monica (Dave) Booker, Martin Smith and Rita (Paul) Anderson; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, Thomas, a brother, Matthew Knecht, 4 sisters, Rose Ranstead, Margaret Viteteau, Emma Seimet and Norma Snyder, and 2 sons-in-law, Charles Stauffer and Mitch Richards. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, November 9 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 209 S. Spring St., Hartford City with Father Dave Newton officiating. Burial will follow in the Hartford City Cemetery. Friends may call at the Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City, from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, November 8 and on Monday from 9-9:45 a.m. A Christian Wake Service will be held at the funeral home at 2 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist Church.