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Rita Smith Obituary
Kaye attended Andrews High School and graduated with the Class of 1960 and then graduated from Indiana Vocational Technical College in 1987. On October 21, 1962, she married Robert "Bob" Smith in Danville. They made their first home in Marion, before moving to Columbia City in 1964.
Kaye worked for Local Finance Company, Huntington, Associates Loan & Investment and Biddinger & Johnson Law Firm, Marion, Central Soya and Dana Corporation, Fort Wayne, Reiff Construction, and Bloom Gates, Sigler, & Whiteleather, Columbia City, before retiring in 2003. She was a member of First Church of God, Columbia City and taught the Toddler Class from 1992-2014.
Kaye enjoyed genealogy, time with her grandchildren, going to YMCA, traveling, and crocheting. She enjoyed adventures such as white water rafting, riding on the back of a motorcycle, and in recent years jumping out of a plane on a tandem skydive.
Survivors include her children Laura (Kevin) Berry of Adrian, MI and Lane (Lesli) Smith of Melbourne, FL; granddaughters Jocelyn Berry, Olivia Berry, Alaina Smith, Alyssa Smith, Alexa Smith; step grandchildren Ben Cearley and Brenna Cearley; sisters Keautta Thomas and Sue King.
She was preceded in death by her father Lyman Groscost, mother June Groscost-Slayback, husband Robert Smith, brothers Lyman "John" Groscost, Jr. and William E. "Bill" Groscost, and sister Omalea Jordan.
Friends may call on Tuesday August 5, 2025, from 4:00-8:00 pm at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.
Funeral services for Kaye will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday August 6, 2025, at the funeral home, with calling one hour prior.
Burial in Gardens of Memory, 11201 South Marion Road-35, Marion, IN. at 1:30 pm
Memorial contributions in memory of Kaye may be made to First Church of God Building Fund, Stepping Stones Endowment Fund or Bob and Kaye Smith Memorial Scholarship in care of Whitley County Community Foundation.
Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rita, please visit our Tree Store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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