Austin Wayne Smith

Indianapolis, Indiana – Austin Wayne Smith, 78, passed away on January 9, 2026, to the great sadness of his family. His warmth, his hard-working attitude, and his love for his family will be forever missed.

Austin was born on April 2, 1947, to parents Cecil & Ruth (Gore) Smith in Russellville, Kentucky. The family moved to Indianapolis shortly after Austin’s birth where he attended Arsenal Tech High School, graduating in 1965. An employee of Steak ‘N Shake, he became a manager, and most importantly, met the love of his love, Nancy Garner who became his wife on December 19, 1966. They celebrated 59 years of marriage before his passing.

Austin was drafted into the United States Army shortly after, serving in Stuttgart, Germany as a mechanic. He and Nancy got to travel the world while Austin was with the military, enjoying trips to Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom. Upon leaving the military, he joined Citizen’s Gas as a pipefitter, where he worked for over 30 years before his retirement.

Ever since a young age, Austin loved to work on cars. As Mr. Fixit, he felt most at home working with his hands on hot rods, classic cars, and most importantly, his Plymouth convertible. When he wasn’t at work or working on a car, you could find him fishing, keeping up with survivalists, or more often than the rest, reading. A true lover of books, he would read anything he could get his hands on.

Most important to Austin though was his family. His beloved wife Nancy, and his sons Scott and Daniel, were his whole world and every moment he spent with them was where Wayne truly wanted to be.

Austin is survived by his wife, Nancy, and sons Scott Smith (Nikki) and Daniel Smith (Leslee); grandchildren Paige Wright, Kyler Smith, Blake Smith, Logan Smith, Carlee Renee Daniels, Heather Smith, Brittianey Smith, Jacob Smith, Jacob Wheatley, Noah Wheatley, and Max Wheatley; great-grandchildren Everlie Wright, Milo Fitzgerald, Sylus Victor Mascari Nolan Wheatley, Rowen Wheatley, and Liam Wheatley; and brother Randy Howard Smith.

Visitation will be at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East (10722 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46229) on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 2 – 4 pm with funeral services following at 4 pm.