Donald Joseph Smith

Donald Joseph Smith 73, of Cicero, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on August 21, 2017.

Don is survived by his wife, Nancy, children, Kurt (Cindy), Kirsten (Shawn) Calhoun, brother Ronald (Lynn), step-children, Jakob (Colette) Wieson, Walt Wieson, and grandchildren, Jocelyn Rachel, Tyson, Logan, Brittany, Mackenzie, Kailei, Coleman and Abigail. He is preceded in death by his parents, Forrest and Eleanor and grandson, Brandon.

Don, also known by many as “Smitty” was born on January 20, 1944 in Milan, TN. At the age of three his family moved to Indianapolis, IN where he resided for most of his life. He attended grade school at Our Lady of Lourdes. During high school he spent three years at The Latin School and spent his senior where he graduated at Cathedral High School. After high school Don went on to college at Butler University where he earned his Bachelors degree in Psychology.

After college Don went on to work for Allstate Insurance as a Property Claims Manager where he retired after 33 years of service. Don loved working with people and went back into the insurance industry after retirement working as a client liaison for Ryze Claim Solutions for 12 years. He also believed in public service and volunteered as a reserve deputy for The Marion County Sheriffs Department for 23 years. He was one of twenty original deputies starting in 1968. He retired as a Major being second in command of the reserve deputies.

Don believed you had to work hard to play hard. When he wasn’t working he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He had many passions and interests including riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle with friends. He attended Sturgis and loved riding out west in Colorado through the mountains. He made many trips to Colorado over the years finding peace in the beauty of nature. He was able to capture that beauty through his passion for photography. He always enjoyed sharing his photos with family and friends in hopes that they too would be able to embrace that beauty just as he was able to. Also while out west Don volunteered for Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Albuquerque, NM.

Although Don lived a full life filled with love he will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched throughout the years; Don never met a stranger. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Flanner and Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Rd. Indpls., from 4-7 p.m. Celebration of life will be held there on Monday at 3 p.m., with visitation one hour prior.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Indian School, PO Box 326 Chamberlain, SD 57326