Obituaries

October 23, 1922 to March 28, 2019

WINAMAC - Rosezella Marie “Rosie” Smith, 96, of Winamac, (formerly of Granger) passed away at 12:30 a.m., Thursday, March 28, at Brookdale Assisted Living, Granger. 

She was born Oct. 23, 1922 in rural White County, to the late Claude Verl and Goldie Mae Irvin Swayze. She grew up in Pulaski, and graduated from Pulaski High School in 1942. On Aug. 30, 1947, she married Harold B. “Hap” Smith in Pulaski. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by:
Sheila (Buck) Gerou, Edwardsburg, MI, Daughter
Sandra (Bob) DeSabatine, Winamac, Daughter
Britney (Ray) Robinson, Granddaughter
Sienna Cox, Granddaughter
Logan Cox, Great-Grandson
Several Nieces and Nephews

She is preceded in death by:
Gerald Swayze, Brother
Sylvia Rogers, Sister
James Swayze, Brother
Claudine Mae Shank, Sister
Mary Lou Adams, Sister
Bobby Swayze, Brother

Mrs. Smith was a longtime member of the Winamac First United Methodist Church where she enjoyed attending Bible study on Thursday nights and the Sunday school friendship class. After moving to Granger, she became an active member of the Presbyterian Church where she faithfully served as an ordained elder and commissioner. She also chaired many women’s praise services, led Bible study for the Women’s Association and taught Sunday school for adults and children. She cherished time spent at the Bible Study Fellowship of South Bend. She served her Lord well throughout her life and loved sharing the Lord with others; inspiring all who met her to know and love Jesus. 

She was a proud homemaker and especially enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening and canning. She also enjoyed the years she worked for Penn Harris Madison Schools serving lunch to the students. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She considered her family to be her treasures and treated them as such. She was a woman who demonstrated unconditional love; welcoming everyone with a smile and a warm embrace. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, April 6, at Winamac First United Methodist Church, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 12 noon (Saturday), at the church with laity leader Barbara Kleinofen officiating. A graveside service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Thompson Cemetery, Royal Center. Burial will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to Winamac First United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.