Velma Arlene Creakbaum Smith

August 17, 2016 at 3:05 p.m.

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BOURBON – Velma Arlene Creakbaum Smith, 96, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2016, transitioned peacefully from the earthly realm to her new heavenly home, while living with her son and daughter-in-law, James L. and Michelle Smith in Worland, Wyo.
She was born Dec. 18, 1919, in Tippecanoe, the first of three daughters born to Elsie Mae and Willis Creakbaum. Although vowing to ‘never marry’, during her time in Fort Wayne, she met Jasper L. Jack Smith. The couple married March 19, 1946.
Active and full of life, she and her siblings, Phyllis Neidlinger and Evelyn Jane Cottrell, remained close throughout the years. Growing up on a farm near Summit Chapel Hill, Marshall County, she and her sisters attended a one-room school, and graduated from Tippecanoe High School.
After graduation, she moved to Fort Wayne, and eventually relocated back to the Tippecanoe area, where they raised two sons, John A., who was born in 1951, and James L., who was born in 1954; two-stepchildren, Betty (and spouse Marvin) Bauermeister, and William L. (and spouse Ann) Smith and families remained an integral part of her life.
During her life, she was always willing to lend a helpful hand, an attentive ear, and remained faithfully committed to her loving savior, Jesus Christ. She marveled at the fact she had been born into an era where the horse and buggy was still in use, but had lived to see technology advance to jet travel.
Over the course of her life, she became a member of numerous families, and a beloved grandmother to a multitude of children. While knowing she has gone to a better place, her presence and her knitted booties will be missed by all.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, with Pastor Ben Hammond, Bremen Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Summit Chapel Cemetery, Bourbon.
Calling will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at the funeral home.
*****
Condolences may be left at deatonclemensfh.com.

BOURBON – Velma Arlene Creakbaum Smith, 96, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2016, transitioned peacefully from the earthly realm to her new heavenly home, while living with her son and daughter-in-law, James L. and Michelle Smith in Worland, Wyo.
She was born Dec. 18, 1919, in Tippecanoe, the first of three daughters born to Elsie Mae and Willis Creakbaum. Although vowing to ‘never marry’, during her time in Fort Wayne, she met Jasper L. Jack Smith. The couple married March 19, 1946.
Active and full of life, she and her siblings, Phyllis Neidlinger and Evelyn Jane Cottrell, remained close throughout the years. Growing up on a farm near Summit Chapel Hill, Marshall County, she and her sisters attended a one-room school, and graduated from Tippecanoe High School.
After graduation, she moved to Fort Wayne, and eventually relocated back to the Tippecanoe area, where they raised two sons, John A., who was born in 1951, and James L., who was born in 1954; two-stepchildren, Betty (and spouse Marvin) Bauermeister, and William L. (and spouse Ann) Smith and families remained an integral part of her life.
During her life, she was always willing to lend a helpful hand, an attentive ear, and remained faithfully committed to her loving savior, Jesus Christ. She marveled at the fact she had been born into an era where the horse and buggy was still in use, but had lived to see technology advance to jet travel.
Over the course of her life, she became a member of numerous families, and a beloved grandmother to a multitude of children. While knowing she has gone to a better place, her presence and her knitted booties will be missed by all.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, with Pastor Ben Hammond, Bremen Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Summit Chapel Cemetery, Bourbon.
Calling will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at the funeral home.
*****
Condolences may be left at deatonclemensfh.com.

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