Norma Smith

Norma F. Smith, 100, of Bluffton passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center. She was born on March 31, 1922, in Bluffton to Raymond A. and Lela M. (Miller) Haflich. She was married June 29, 1944, in Indianapolis to James “Jim” E. Smith, Jr. They celebrated 72 years of marriage together.
She graduated from Bluffton High School with the class of 1940. She was a business manager for Caylor-Nickel Clinic for 25 years, retiring in 1986. She was the secretary for her husband’s electrical business, Smith Electric. After retirement, they wintered in Bradenton, Florida for many years. She was a member of the American Legion Post #111 Auxiliary of Bluffton. She was a past-president and oldest member of the Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority. She was a Cub Scout leader, was active in the PTA and was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Uniondale.
She is survived by two sons, Larry J. (Madge) Smith, D.V.M. of Berne; and Ted K. (Susan) Smith of Bluffton; six grandchildren, Jenny (Bill) McIntire; and Valerie Smith, both of Berne; Emilee (Elmer) Schwartz of Spencerville, Ohio; Theresa Shuck of Geneva; Rachel (Nate) Cosner of Indianapolis; and Phillip J. Smith of Bluffton; four special nieces, Diana (Ned) Shappley of Lexington; Linda (Jim) Fritz; and JoAnne (Ron) Bowman, both of Bluffton; and Sylvia (Richard Wenz) Solomon of Wilmington, North Carolina; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on March 11, 2016; twin sister, Dorma M. Johnson; and two great-grandchildren, Brayden James Schwartz; and Clayton Shuck.
Visitation will be two hours prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service Thursday, March 9 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Uniondale. Officiating will be Rev. Jarrod Ball. Private burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Bluffton.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or to Christian Care Retirement Community.
Arrangements provided by Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Online condolences may be made at www.thomarich.com.