Robert Alson Smith

Robert Alson Smith, age 80, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 6:00 am Thursday, April 26, 2018 at his home. Born on March 30, 1938 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN, he was the son of Prentice Adrian and Mary Elizabeth (Worrell) Smith.

He spent the first 17 years of his life in Chalmers before moving to Lafontaine. He graduated from Lafontaine High School with the Class of 1956 and attended Purdue University. From 1961 to 1963 Bob served with US Army. On October 21, 1962, he married Rita "Kaye" Groscost Smith in Danville. He and Kaye made their first home in Marion and moved to Columbia City in 1964. He worked at Associates Loan and Investment Company in Marion and then Star Financial Bank of Columbia City for 38 1/2 years, retiring as Regional President in 2003. He was a faithful member of the Columbia City First Church of God, having served as teacher of the Gleaners Class for 20 years and also served as a Deacon, Elder, Chairman of Church Council. Bob was a member of the Stepping Stones Day Care Committee, Whitley Community Foundation, served on the Board of Directors for Bankers Association and a past president of Columbia City Jaycees and Kiwanis Club.

Survivors include his wife, Kaye Smith; daughter, Laura (Kevin) Berry, of Adrian, Mich.; son, Lane (Lesli) Smith, of Melbourne, Fla.; granddaughters, Jocelyn and Olivia Berry, Alaina, Alyssa and Alexa Smith, Benjamin and Brenna Cearley; brother, John Richard (Sherri) Smith, of Fortville. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2018 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2018 at the funeral home with Military Rites immediately following at the funeral home by the Whitley County Korean War Honor Guard. Pastor Tim Grable and Pastor Johnny McCallister will be officiating. Burial will be at Gardens of Memory, 11201 South Marion Road-35, Marion, IN at 2:00 pm Friday afternoon. Memorials may be given in his memory to Stepping Stones Endowment Fund in care of Whitley County Community Foundation or First Church of God Building Fund. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.