Norman Jay Smith

A love that lasted over three-quarters of a century.

Norman J. Smith, 96, beloved husband of Anne L. Smith, father, grandfather and great grandfather, of Fishers, IN. Formerly of Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph, MI, he passed away Thursday, August 27, 2020.  Norm was born January 4, 1924 in Detroit, son of Irene Smith adopted by Edward and Mary Sheafer Smith.  He retired from the Saranac Machine Company where he was the Chief Engineer. After retirement he became a flight instructor at Ross Field. Benton Harbor, Michigan. He continued to fly and teach until his mid-eighties.

Norman and Anne were married in Pocatello, Idaho on May 13, 1943. They would have been married 77 years this May. They spent WWII in Dawson Creek, BC where Norman was a weather observer for the US Army Air Corp. They returned to their home in Benton Harbor, MI where they spent many wonderful years with family and friends.

Besides his love of flying he also spent many years in his free time umpiring Little League, Babe Ruth League, and Adult League baseball in Benton Harbor. He even umpired behind the plate when Satchel Paige came to town for an exhibition game with our “Majors”. Norman and Anne  loved to travel. He and Anne traveled the country and took multiple trips to Europe with family and friends.

Norman is survived by; children, Randall Jay (wife, Diana Kay) Smith, Susan Ann (partner, Kathy Wade) Smith; grandchildren, Christopher Jay (wife, Susie) Smith, Colin Todd (wife, Jenn) Smith, Parker Jay (wife Jalene) Smith, Amy Sue (husband, Tom) Schulte, Stacy Lynn Godfroy; great grandchildren, Taylor and Carly Smith, Vaeda, Nolan and Fletcher Smith, Annley, Campbell and Laker Smith, Lucy and Stella Schulte, Courtney, Morghan Kramer and Raylan Johnson.

Memorial service: It will be a combined service for Anne and Norman and will take place at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 9700 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis, Indiana on Thursday, September 3rd. Viewing will take place from 1:00 PM until 2:30 PM. Service will take place at 2:30 PM. Father Robert Sims will be presiding. There will also be a U.S. Military Honor ceremony at the end of the service.

A graveside ceremony will take place at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, 4290 Cleveland Ave, Stevensville, MI on Saturday, September 5th at 11:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Franciscan Hospice House, 8414 Franciscan Lane, Indianapolis, Indiana. Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register.

Livestream of service may be viewed by clicking https://youtu.be/YybtGYXHeN0.