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North Posey High School Ball State University Northwestern University

FUNERAL HOME

Alexander Funeral Home-West Chapel - Evansville

2100 West Illinois Street

Evansville, Indiana

Diane Smith Obituary

Diane Smith

Evansville - Diane Smith, a former Speech and English teacher at North Posey High School for 44 years, died on December 28, 2019 at age 72. Diane's parents were Clarence Albert Smith and Lorene Elizabeth (Kirsch) Smith.

Diane wanted to share a message from the Carol Burnett Show with those who are still here. I'm so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh, and sing a song. Seems we just got started and before we knew it came the time we had to say, 'So long.' Every day was a good day for Diane. She and her mother both liked the following saying: "Enjoy life; this is not a dress rehearsal." First and foremost, she cherished her teaching time. A firm believer in the power of intangibles, there were some personal accomplishments that she especially cherished. She was a Reitz Commencement Speaker for the Class of '65. Later, she was elected President of the Indiana Speech Association. From there, she had the honor of being a School of Speech Fellow at Northwestern University. She spent several years coaching speech and debate and was elected to the Indiana Forensic Hall of Fame. She also was a tennis tournament player. At age 16, she was ranked Number One in the State in the 18 and under division. Later as an adult, she won large tournaments such as the Indianapolis Open. At North Posey High School, she was the first tennis coach. Diane's undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Education, was from Ball State Teachers College, which later had a name change to Ball State University. Her graduate degree, a Master of Arts, was from Northwestern University.

She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Lorene Smith.

Diane is survived by her brother Gary (wife Marlies) her nephew Christopher Smith (wife Nicole), her great niece Jasmine Smith, her great nephew Dominic Smith, her niece Tiffany Cannon (husband Charles), her great niece Heather Harper Cannon, her great nephew Dylan Cannon, her nephew Nicholas Smith (wife Violet), her great nephew Emery Smith, her great nephew Adrian Smith and her great nephew Terre Smith.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Alexander West Chapel officiated by Dan and Jenny DiLegge with burial to follow in Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Saturday 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier Press from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Diane Smith

Sponsored by Alexander Funeral Home-West Chapel - Evansville.

33 Entries

January 15, 2020

Diane was a great friend to my family. She was a great debate coach, tennis coach, tennis partner and all-around great
friend. The AKIN family sends our heartfelt condolences.

HOLLY, SADRI and EMEL AKIN.

Becky Conner

January 11, 2020

I knew Diane as a childhood neighbor friend. We were about 10 years old when playing at each other's house,--usually I was at Diane's house because we both liked playing tennis and her house was across the street from the courts. We lost track of one another about HS sophomore year, being involved with different interests. There are nothing but pleasant memories I cherish about Diane,--she was kind, considerate, fun, smart, and skilled to excel in tennis, teaching, and all areas touching many lives. It's no surprise why many of us loved her, and she'll be greatly missed.

Becky Conner

January 11, 2020

Marlies + Heinz

January 10, 2020

We met Diane during her visit to Germany when she stayed with us for a couple of days. We adored her as a lovable, warm hearted, and highly intelligent person. We will never forget the wonderful time we spent with her. Our sympathy to her family!

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Dennis Parker

January 9, 2020

Miss Smith had an amazing Impact on my life and I never got a chance to tell her. My public speaking skills started when I was involved in the debate club and extemporaneous speaking. I continued to sharpen those skills in college and then through out my business life taking and teaching Dale Carnegie courses. I credit a lot of my success in life to what she taught me, clear, concise speaking in public.
She was one of the kindest souls I ever met and I was certainly a handful for her to handle during my years at NPHS. So sorry to learn she is gone.

Bud and Judy Howard

January 9, 2020

Diane was such a wonderful person. My memories of her were as a neighbor, friend, and wonderful speech coach. She always made you feel so special. My son Casey, member of Reitz Speech Team when she was coaching, simply adored her. We will miss Diane. Our deepest sympathy to your family,
Bud and Judy Howard

Teresa Welch

January 9, 2020

I will miss Diane and thought of her often after she left North Posey. We worked together with the theatre program. I will always cherish her guidance and support. "The curtain may fall but the show will always live in our hearts." Teresa Welch

Brenda Smith

January 9, 2020

Diane touched the lives of so many young people, she had a special way of making a person feel good about themselves. She played an important roll in my children and grandchildren's lives. They all loved her and spent lots of memorable times with her as children and adults. I'm sure when she entered through those Golden Gates she was greeted by God saying Well Done ( Well Done Good And Faithful One) by the Afters. May she rest in pease and I hope heaven is full of the color RED! ❤

Nikki Barton McLaughlin

January 8, 2020

Great teacher! She pushed me to join Speech & Debate which has helped shape my career. I will never forget those red shoes.

Eric Adams and Gordie Simmons, NPHS Tennis Bad Boyz '79

Eric Adams NPHS'81

January 8, 2020

Diane Smith was a tremendous teacher, tennis coach and ally during my time at NPHS. Her influence and ability to pull people out of there awkward teenage shells was amazing... guess we never would have had any theater/plays without her 'volunteering' so many of us to partake. Public speaking is a huge part of my career and it all started with her. We were all oh-so fortunate to have Ms. Smith's light to show us the way. I remember how crushed we both were when I fell one game shy of bringing NPHS a tennis victory over Gibson Southern. She was such a friend and she will be missed.

Eric Adams and Gordie Simmons, NPHS Tennis Bad Boyz, 1979

Eric Adams

January 8, 2020

Jill Riddell

January 8, 2020

I wouldn't be where I am now without Diane Smith. In the late 1970s when I didn't make the tennis team, she found me in the hall the first week of school and asked me instead to be on the speech and debate team (something I'd never even heard of before.) She later pushed me to go for speech and debate's top honor, the Double Ruby and later, encouraged me to apply to Northwestern University for college. I did, and today I continue to live and work in Chicago; and I met my husband at Northwestern, too .Those things she encouraged me to do, which all seemed somewhat random to my teenaged self, were astoundingly influential--and I know I'm not the only one she helped in this way. A great teacher--always positive and upbeat with each and every student--and really an intelligent and evolved woman. A role model. Rest in peace, Ms. Smith, and thank you.

Lana Marvel

January 8, 2020

One of my favorite teachers. She made learning fun.
Ms Smith you will be missed.

Debi Nottingham

January 8, 2020

As a published writer, I thank God for my English teachers at NPHS, and that includes Diane.

Terri Frantz

January 8, 2020

Diane will be missed by so many. What a blessing she was as a teacher to the students of North Posey. I had the privilege of working with Ms. Smith for 37 years as a Junior High Art teacher just down the hall. She was so engaging, knowledgeable, and creative. She loved teaching! She loved her red too! What a legacy she has left us!

JoAnn Hachmeister

January 8, 2020

What a talented, loving caring teacher and a great speech and debate coach. Memories of many debate trips and competitions. Prayers for her family.

Amber Windell

January 8, 2020

I remember Ms Smith from NPHS such a sweet lady. Thoughts and prayers to her family during this sad time.

Xan Nottingham. McClure

January 8, 2020

I loved having her as a teacher many yrs ago. She was a beautiful lady inside and out. And many of her lessons have stuck with me all this time.
May you rest in peace and may you keep on teaching all those lessons.

Miranda Voegel

January 7, 2020

I'll never forget Mrs. Smith, self proclaimed cave woman and wonderful, lovely teacher and person. My deepest condolences to her family.

Jennifer Sisson

January 7, 2020

I remember Ms. Smith from North Posey. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family!

Karen Muensterman

January 7, 2020

I loved having Ms. Smith as an English teacher and speech team coach in high school. I was also very happy to be her neighbor for several years after I graduated. I will never forget her honesty, her positive energy and her determination to see the good in her fellow humans. I feel lucky to have known her.

Ciara Keach Englert

January 7, 2020

Your class had such an impact on my life. I will be forever thankful for all that I learned from you. I remember friends thinking I was crazy for choosing to take your class again. I absolutely loved it. May you rest in peace.

Connie Koester

January 7, 2020

Ms Smith, I loved having you for a teacher and had the privilege to work with you as I worked at the high school much later in life! You taught me so much in both. I will cherish you always
Connie Jourdan Koester

Philip Glover

January 7, 2020

I graduated from NP in 1975 and Miss Smith was my English teacher and I was on the debate team. One of my favorite teachers I am sorry that she past away.

Cheryl Elam

January 7, 2020

Loved Mrs. Smith my English teacher at North Posey, I was on the speech team with her as well and really enjoyed her class she was a wonderful teacher. sorry she passed at such a young age. Cheryl Lynn Hammelman Elam

Tina Kraft

January 7, 2020

I hope she knew how much she was loved by many of her students. She encouraged me to follow my passions and taught me to believe in myself. Because of Miss Smith I teach Theatre to hundreds of kids each year and I try my best to help them find their self worth. Rest In Peace dear teacher-I will hold you in my heart forever. Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words. Goethe

The Long Stem Pink Rose Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

Terri Palmer

Sent Flowers

Stephanie Williams

January 7, 2020

Your class was one of my most memorable classes in high school. Ms. Smith made class so much fun and enjoyable. She was so knowledgeable in her field. Prayers for your family during this time.

Jimmy Gee

January 7, 2020

MS Smith was my favorite teacher at NPHS! I still cherish all of the class plays and speech and debate meets I participated in. She made learning so much fun. God definitely gained a pure angel. RIP Ms Smith you will be missed but not forgotten.

Barbi Roedel

January 7, 2020

Rest In Peace Ms Smith. Thank you for your years of teaching, encouraging, and support to your students.

Stacy Latham

January 7, 2020

Rest with the Angels Ms. Smith! Thank you so much for blessing all your students with your knowledge and most definitely your patience!!

Terri Alexander

January 7, 2020

Ms. Smith was an amazing teacher. My parents and aunts had her when they were in high school as well. She helped me come out of my shell in high school and I can never thank her enough for that. She will be missed by many.

Showing 1 - 33 of 33 results