Joanna L. Smith, 82, of North Manchester, Ind., died at 11:11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2014, in Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne, Ind.

She was born Sept. 28, 1931, in Flora, Ind., to Leo and Sarah (Angle) Spitler. She graduated from Flora (Ind.) High School in 1949 and Manchester College in 1953 and took classes at Butler University.

During high school she spent 5 years in 4-H and earned a leadership award in 4-H. She played the marimba in high school and was church organist and pianist for many years. She majored in music at Manchester College and was very involved in the A cappella choir. She was involved in many music classes, piano & band at Manchester College. 

On Aug. 26, 1951, she married Dr. Lloyd H. Smith. He died Dec. 2, 1983. Joanna was a homemaker and had worked at Allison General Motors for 6 summers and was an elementary school teacher at Westlake Elementary (near Indianapolis) for 4 years and Traverse City, Mich., for 1 year. She was a substitute teacher for 10 years in Ludington, Mich.

She was a member of First Brethren Church, North Manchester, and loved her family deeply and enjoyed spending time with them. 

She is survived by two sons: Brenton (Kelli) Smith, Denver, Colo.; and Curtis (Ruth) Smith, Lansing, Mich.; two daughters: Lorinda (Edward) Visser, Webster, NY; and Janelle (Chris) Walters, North Manchester, Ind.; two brothers: Robert (Pat) Spitler, Flora, Ind.; and Don (Elaine) Spitler, Warsaw, Ind.; seven grandchildren; four step grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at McKee Mortuary, 1401 SR 114 W., North Manchester, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, at First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore St., North Manchester. The service will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the church. Pastor Kurt Stout and Pastor Edward Visser will officiate. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Flora, Ind.

Memorials may be made to Timbercrest Senior Living Community, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962; or First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore St., North Manchester, IN 46962.