Joseph L Smith

Joseph Leland Smith, 77, of Indianapolis passed away on October 8, 2020.  He was born on February 10, 1943 in Logansport, IN to the late Leland and Wilma (Mayhill) Smith.

Joe graduated from Logansport High School in 1961.  He then pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. After graduation, Joe worked for Gates Radio Company in Quincy, IL.  He was drafted in 1968 and served in the US Army in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970.  After he returned to Indiana, Joe was employed by RCA, Indianapolis for 13 years.  He earned five US patents for components he designed for color televisions.  He also worked for Xolox Corporation, Fort Wayne, Magnetic Instrumentation and Crossroads Industrial Services, both Indianapolis.

Joe enjoyed teaching Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran.  He also taught guitar lessons to Trinity students, boys at Lutherwood and boys at the Pendleton Reformatory.  Joe played the guitar for Sunday Chapel services at Lutherwood.  He was also a volunteer at Camp Healing Tree and St. Vincent Hospice.  Favorite pastimes included kayaking with the Hoosier Canoe Club and fishing in Canada with family and friends.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Barbara (Maas) Smith, his children, Jennifer (Kevin) Hohnbaum, Indianapolis, Mark (Jamie) Smith, Chicago, IL, and Brandon (Megan) Mitchell, Noblesville, IN and his four grandchildren, Meredith and Aaron Hohnbaum and Austin and Dallas Mitchell. His sister Susanne Ridlen, Logansport, IN, also survives as well as a number of extended family members.  Joe was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Julian Ridlen.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 16, 2020 from 11AM-1PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 8540 E. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219.  A funeral will immediately follow at 1PM.  Services are entrusted to Flanner Buchanan-Washington Park East.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Child and Family Services, 1525 N. Ritter Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46219 or Trinity Lutheran Church, 8540 E. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219.