Betty Lou Smith passed from this life on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, at Grace Village, Winona Lake, after a period of declining health.
Betty was born Aug. 7, 1929, in Kosciusko County, to Omer Otis and Beatrice VanPherson Coldren.
Betty graduated from Laketon High School in 1947 and married Ronald L. Olinger. They had three children before divorcing.
In 1965 Betty married Rex Dean Smith, who preceded her in death Dec. 23, 2016.
Betty enjoyed traveling, bowling, playing euchre, reading and going to the casino. She tended beautiful flower gardens and baked delicious pies.
She dearly loved her family and will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her children: Michael Joe (Patricia) Olinger in Wayland, Mich.; Ann Jeanette (Norman) Johnson in Ashland, Ohio; and Jeannie Marie (Juan) Gonzales in Millersburg; and stepchildren: Debra Sue (Rex Darley) Lancaster, Jeffrey Rex (Melissa) Smith and Sharon Kay (Dave) Peters, all of South Whitley. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and sisters Beverly Joan Coldren, Barbara Stewart, Brenda (Larry) Landis and Rebecca Burton.
In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by her brothers, William Coldren and Keith Coldren; sisters, Edna Tracy and Carol Paul; three sons-in-law; and one great-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, with calling one hour prior. Pastor Norman Johnson will officiate the services.
Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.
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Because trees, a nice lawn and flower gardens gave Betty pleasure, it is suggested that memorial contributions be given to Grace Village, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590, designated for landscape projects.
