Karen Lee (Hoffman) Smith, 65, ran into the arms of her Savior on Thursday, January 2, 2014 after a brave battle with an extended illness. She joins her parents, William "Bill" and Leah Hoffman, and her infant daughter, Betsy Marie, who preceded her to heaven.
She will be dearly missed by her loving and devoted husband of 42 years, John Smith; her children, Molly and Myron Detweiler of Hamilton, OH and Joel and Wendy Smith of Lansing, MI; and her beloved grandchildren, Betsy and Clare Detweiler and Jake and Luke Smith. Also remembering her with much love are her siblings, Sherry Garland, Eaton; Fred (Linda) Hoffman, Portland; Steven (Amy) Hoffman, Union City; Ruth (Chip) Loney, Winchester; Gary (Jennifer) Hoffman, Anderson; and James (Shana) Hoffman, Indianapolis; and many nieces and nephews.
Karen was born November 22, 1948 in Portland, Indiana to William and Leah (Whitenack) Hoffman. She grew up in Deerfield, Indiana and attended Lee L. Driver High School, graduating in 1966. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University in 1970.
In 1966, at the request of his mother, Karen began correspondence with a young man who was in basic training in preparation for a tour in Vietnam. While on leave before heading overseas, John Smith asked Karen to go with him to see "The Sound of Music." It was their first date and the beginning of a lifelong love. John and Karen were married on March 27, 1971 and celebrated 42 anniversaries.
Loving children was Karen's lifelong passion. As the eldest of seven children, she took on the role of second Mommy to her siblings from an early age. She often said that her youngest brother, Jim, was like her own baby, as he was born when she was 16. After graduating from college, Karen taught first and second grade at Ward Elementary in Saratoga, IN for three years. She loved those children like her own, often buying new clothes for students in need. She also had each of her students over to spend the night so she could give them each one special day. Many of those students talk about that experience to this day.
In 1974, Karen became a mother to her own little girl, Molly Christina. Karen and Molly shared a deep, special bond that went beyond mother and daughter. They were truly best friends from the beginning. In 1976, Karen lost her second daughter Betsy Marie, who was stillborn. Karen used that pain throughout her life to minister to others who had lost children as well. In 1979, God blessed Karen with a baby boy, William Joel. She often said how much Joel healed her heart after the loss of Betsy. She was always so very proud of her son.
After her own children were grown, Karen continued to mother the little ones in her community. She taught preschool and Sunday School and for ten years worked as a children's librarian at the Winchester Library. Many children came to love "Mrs. Karen" who always made time to help, encourage, listen and love all those who came through the library doors.
Karen was always most happy and content when her whole family gathered at home. She loved her four grandchildren deeply and spent hours with them cuddling, drawing, blowing bubbles, playing games, building Legos, and reading books.
Karen had a deep, lifelong love for her husband as well. She and John faced many trials together and shared many joys. She was so deeply grateful to John for his care for her throughout their lives, and especially in this past year. They had a true love that will never end.
Most of all, Karen loved Jesus. She longed for others to know and love Him as well. Her deep love for others came from her deep love of her Savior. She was a member of Winchester Congregational Christian Church for many years and she cherished the family of true brothers and sisters she found there.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 3-7 pm at Winchester Congregational Christian Church in Winchester, IN. A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 11 am, also at the church. Burial will follow at Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pregnancy Care Center of Randolph County, 811 N. Main St. Winchester, Indiana 4739
She will be dearly missed by her loving and devoted husband of 42 years, John Smith; her children, Molly and Myron Detweiler of Hamilton, OH and Joel and Wendy Smith of Lansing, MI; and her beloved grandchildren, Betsy and Clare Detweiler and Jake and Luke Smith. Also remembering her with much love are her siblings, Sherry Garland, Eaton; Fred (Linda) Hoffman, Portland; Steven (Amy) Hoffman, Union City; Ruth (Chip) Loney, Winchester; Gary (Jennifer) Hoffman, Anderson; and James (Shana) Hoffman, Indianapolis; and many nieces and nephews.
Karen was born November 22, 1948 in Portland, Indiana to William and Leah (Whitenack) Hoffman. She grew up in Deerfield, Indiana and attended Lee L. Driver High School, graduating in 1966. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University in 1970.
In 1966, at the request of his mother, Karen began correspondence with a young man who was in basic training in preparation for a tour in Vietnam. While on leave before heading overseas, John Smith asked Karen to go with him to see "The Sound of Music." It was their first date and the beginning of a lifelong love. John and Karen were married on March 27, 1971 and celebrated 42 anniversaries.
Loving children was Karen's lifelong passion. As the eldest of seven children, she took on the role of second Mommy to her siblings from an early age. She often said that her youngest brother, Jim, was like her own baby, as he was born when she was 16. After graduating from college, Karen taught first and second grade at Ward Elementary in Saratoga, IN for three years. She loved those children like her own, often buying new clothes for students in need. She also had each of her students over to spend the night so she could give them each one special day. Many of those students talk about that experience to this day.
In 1974, Karen became a mother to her own little girl, Molly Christina. Karen and Molly shared a deep, special bond that went beyond mother and daughter. They were truly best friends from the beginning. In 1976, Karen lost her second daughter Betsy Marie, who was stillborn. Karen used that pain throughout her life to minister to others who had lost children as well. In 1979, God blessed Karen with a baby boy, William Joel. She often said how much Joel healed her heart after the loss of Betsy. She was always so very proud of her son.
After her own children were grown, Karen continued to mother the little ones in her community. She taught preschool and Sunday School and for ten years worked as a children's librarian at the Winchester Library. Many children came to love "Mrs. Karen" who always made time to help, encourage, listen and love all those who came through the library doors.
Karen was always most happy and content when her whole family gathered at home. She loved her four grandchildren deeply and spent hours with them cuddling, drawing, blowing bubbles, playing games, building Legos, and reading books.
Karen had a deep, lifelong love for her husband as well. She and John faced many trials together and shared many joys. She was so deeply grateful to John for his care for her throughout their lives, and especially in this past year. They had a true love that will never end.
Most of all, Karen loved Jesus. She longed for others to know and love Him as well. Her deep love for others came from her deep love of her Savior. She was a member of Winchester Congregational Christian Church for many years and she cherished the family of true brothers and sisters she found there.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 3-7 pm at Winchester Congregational Christian Church in Winchester, IN. A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 11 am, also at the church. Burial will follow at Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pregnancy Care Center of Randolph County, 811 N. Main St. Winchester, Indiana 4739
Karen Lee (Hoffman) Smith, 65, ran into the arms of her Savior on Thursday, January 2, 2014 after a brave battle with an extended illness. She joins her parents, William "Bill" and Leah Hoffman, and her infant daughter, Betsy Marie, who preceded her to heaven.
She will be dearly missed by her loving and devoted husband of 42 years, John Smith; her children, Molly and Myron Detweiler of Hamilton, OH and Joel and Wendy Smith of Lansing, MI; and her beloved grandchildren, Betsy and Clare Detweiler and Jake and Luke Smith. Also remembering her with much love are her siblings, Sherry Garland, Eaton; Fred (Linda) Hoffman, Portland; Steven (Amy) Hoffman, Union City; Ruth (Chip) Loney, Winchester; Gary (Jennifer) Hoffman, Anderson; and James (Shana) Hoffman, Indianapolis; and many nieces and nephews.
Karen was born November 22, 1948 in Portland, Indiana to William and Leah (Whitenack) Hoffman. She grew up in Deerfield, Indiana and attended Lee L. Driver High School, graduating in 1966. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University in 1970.
In 1966, at the request of his mother, Karen began correspondence with a young man who was in basic training in preparation for a tour in Vietnam. While on leave before heading overseas, John Smith asked Karen to go with him to see "The Sound of Music." It was their first date and the beginning of a lifelong love. John and Karen were married on March 27, 1971 and celebrated 42 anniversaries.
Loving children was Karen's lifelong passion. As the eldest of seven children, she took on the role of second Mommy to her siblings from an early age. She often said that her youngest brother, Jim, was like her own baby, as he was born when she was 16. After graduating from college, Karen taught first and second grade at Ward Elementary in Saratoga, IN for three years. She loved those children like her own, often buying new clothes for students in need. She also had each of her students over to spend the night so she could give them each one special day. Many of those students talk about that experience to this day.
In 1974, Karen became a mother to her own little girl, Molly Christina. Karen and Molly shared a deep, special bond that went beyond mother and daughter. They were truly best friends from the beginning. In 1976, Karen lost her second daughter Betsy Marie, who was stillborn. Karen used that pain throughout her life to minister to others who had lost children as well. In 1979, God blessed Karen with a baby boy, William Joel. She often said how much Joel healed her heart after the loss of Betsy. She was always so very proud of her son.
After her own children were grown, Karen continued to mother the little ones in her community. She taught preschool and Sunday School and for ten years worked as a children's librarian at the Winchester Library. Many children came to love "Mrs. Karen" who always made time to help, encourage, listen and love all those who came through the library doors.
Karen was always most happy and content when her whole family gathered at home. She loved her four grandchildren deeply and spent hours with them cuddling, drawing, blowing bubbles, playing games, building Legos, and reading books.
Karen had a deep, lifelong love for her husband as well. She and John faced many trials together and shared many joys. She was so deeply grateful to John for his care for her throughout their lives, and especially in this past year. They had a true love that will never end.
Most of all, Karen loved Jesus. She longed for others to know and love Him as well. Her deep love for others came from her deep love of her Savior. She was a member of Winchester Congregational Christian Church for many years and she cherished the family of true brothers and sisters she found there.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 3-7 pm at Winchester Congregational Christian Church in Winchester, IN. A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 11 am, also at the church. Burial will follow at Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pregnancy Care Center of Randolph County, 811 N. Main St. Winchester, Indiana 4739
She will be dearly missed by her loving and devoted husband of 42 years, John Smith; her children, Molly and Myron Detweiler of Hamilton, OH and Joel and Wendy Smith of Lansing, MI; and her beloved grandchildren, Betsy and Clare Detweiler and Jake and Luke Smith. Also remembering her with much love are her siblings, Sherry Garland, Eaton; Fred (Linda) Hoffman, Portland; Steven (Amy) Hoffman, Union City; Ruth (Chip) Loney, Winchester; Gary (Jennifer) Hoffman, Anderson; and James (Shana) Hoffman, Indianapolis; and many nieces and nephews.
Karen was born November 22, 1948 in Portland, Indiana to William and Leah (Whitenack) Hoffman. She grew up in Deerfield, Indiana and attended Lee L. Driver High School, graduating in 1966. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University in 1970.
In 1966, at the request of his mother, Karen began correspondence with a young man who was in basic training in preparation for a tour in Vietnam. While on leave before heading overseas, John Smith asked Karen to go with him to see "The Sound of Music." It was their first date and the beginning of a lifelong love. John and Karen were married on March 27, 1971 and celebrated 42 anniversaries.
Loving children was Karen's lifelong passion. As the eldest of seven children, she took on the role of second Mommy to her siblings from an early age. She often said that her youngest brother, Jim, was like her own baby, as he was born when she was 16. After graduating from college, Karen taught first and second grade at Ward Elementary in Saratoga, IN for three years. She loved those children like her own, often buying new clothes for students in need. She also had each of her students over to spend the night so she could give them each one special day. Many of those students talk about that experience to this day.
In 1974, Karen became a mother to her own little girl, Molly Christina. Karen and Molly shared a deep, special bond that went beyond mother and daughter. They were truly best friends from the beginning. In 1976, Karen lost her second daughter Betsy Marie, who was stillborn. Karen used that pain throughout her life to minister to others who had lost children as well. In 1979, God blessed Karen with a baby boy, William Joel. She often said how much Joel healed her heart after the loss of Betsy. She was always so very proud of her son.
After her own children were grown, Karen continued to mother the little ones in her community. She taught preschool and Sunday School and for ten years worked as a children's librarian at the Winchester Library. Many children came to love "Mrs. Karen" who always made time to help, encourage, listen and love all those who came through the library doors.
Karen was always most happy and content when her whole family gathered at home. She loved her four grandchildren deeply and spent hours with them cuddling, drawing, blowing bubbles, playing games, building Legos, and reading books.
Karen had a deep, lifelong love for her husband as well. She and John faced many trials together and shared many joys. She was so deeply grateful to John for his care for her throughout their lives, and especially in this past year. They had a true love that will never end.
Most of all, Karen loved Jesus. She longed for others to know and love Him as well. Her deep love for others came from her deep love of her Savior. She was a member of Winchester Congregational Christian Church for many years and she cherished the family of true brothers and sisters she found there.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 3-7 pm at Winchester Congregational Christian Church in Winchester, IN. A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 11 am, also at the church. Burial will follow at Lawndale Cemetery in Ridgeville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pregnancy Care Center of Randolph County, 811 N. Main St. Winchester, Indiana 4739
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