Marianne Smith went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. She passed away in the loving care of Grace Village Health Care in Winona Lake at the age of 88.
She was born on Jan. 16, 1936, in Howard County to Mary Kathryn Catron Byrum and Richard Earl Byrum. On Aug. 16, 1957, Marianne married Philip Lee Smith, and they shared 61 years of marriage before he passed away on June 25, 2019.
After high school, Marianne earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Marion College, and later her master’s degree in education from Purdue University. Marianne had a fulfilling 40 years in education and was a beloved teacher at Whitko School Corporation for 30 years teaching hundreds of first- and fourth-grade students. Later in her career, she served as the school principal for seven years. Marianne was passionate about teaching and had love and patience for all of her students and is remembered fondly by many of them. She was a member of Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, as well as a former member of Winona Lake Free Methodist Church.
She was a busy mom, who raised three strong boys, a full-time teacher and a farmer’s wife. Her husband Philip was a proud hog farmer in Kosciusko County, and being a farmer’s wife, she shared the responsibilities alongside her husband. She was a member of the Indiana Pork Producers Association and loved the many friends she made from being a member of the Winona Lake Literary Club. More than anything she loved her family and very much loved her many grandchildren. Marianne was the heart of her family and will forever be loved and remembered by those that loved her.
She leaves behind her three sons: Gary (Melody) Smith, Silver Lake; Jeffrey (Kathy) Smith, North Manchester; Kevin (Kathy) Smith, Silver Lake; seven grandchildren: Megan, Morgan, Angela, Melissa, Kayla, Kyle and Kole; and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are four brothers: Jim (Ann) Byrum, Flora; Ed Byrum, Russiaville; Dick (Joyce) Byrum, Kokomo; John (Gail) Byrum, Twelve Mile; and her brother-in-law, Mike Jarvis, Franklin. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her sister, Sandra Jarvis.
Friends and family may visit from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Marianne’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Rick Hurley. A graveside service will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Silver Lake.
Memorial donations may be directed to the church of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.