Norma F. Smith, 100 of Bluffton, passed away on Saturday morning, March 4, 2023, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
Norma was born March 31, 1922 in Bluffton to Raymond A. & Lela M. (Miller) Haflich. She graduated from Bluffton High school with the class of 1940.
On June 29, 1944 in Indianapolis, Norma and James “Jim” E. Smith, Jr. were married. They celebrated 72 years of marriage together until his passing on March 11, 2016.
She was a business manager for Caylor-Nickel Clinic for 25 years, retiring in 1986. Norma was the secretary for her husband, Jim’s electrical business, Smith Electric. After retirement, Norma and Jim wintered in Bradenton, Fla. for many years. She was a member of the American Legion Post 111 Auxiliary of Bluffton. She was a Past-President and oldest member of the Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority, a cub scout leader and was active in the PTA, and a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Uniondale.
Survivors include their two sons; Larry J. (Madge) Smith, D.V.M. of Berne, and Ted K. (Susan) Smith of Bluffton; six grandchildren, Jenny (Bill) McIntire of Berne, Emilee (Elmer) Schwartz of Spencerville, Ohio, Theresa Shuck of Geneva, Valerie Smith of Berne, Rachel (Nate) Cosner of Indianapolis, and Phillip J. Smith of Bluffton; along with 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter. She is also survived by four special nieces, Diana (Ned) Shappley of Lexington, Ky., Linda (Jim) Fritz of Bluffton, JoAnne (Ron) Bowman of Bluffton, and Sylvia (Richard Wenz) Solomon of Wilmington, N.C.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jim; a twin sister Dorma M. Johnson; and two great-grandchildren, Brayden James Schwartz and Clayton Shuck.
A service to celebrate Norma’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Uniondale with Rev. Jarrod Ball officiating. Calling will take place on Thursday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., prior to the service at the church.
Private burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or to Christian Care Retirement Community.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can share memories and online condolences with the family at www.thomarich.com.