Jill Janice Welch

After 86 full years of life, our mother, Janice (Jill) Smith Welch, peacefully passed into eternity early Friday morning, September 2, 2022. She was an amazing woman with many God-given talents - musician, nurse, painter, poet, teacher, and weaver to name a few. As a stay-at-home mother, she raised four children with grace, sending each to post-secondary education.

She was born February 8, 1936 to Fred and Jeanette Kaiser in Buffalo, NY. As a violin student, she attended Interlochen, a music camp in Michigan, along with her older sister, Carol, who plays cello. She studied Speech Pathology at Northwestern University, where she met and married our father, Donald P. Smith. When we were teenagers, Mom returned to school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, which became her ministry to both cardiac and pediatric patients in Indianapolis and Clearwater, FL. She also learned sign language and loved "accompanying" vocal performances. Her truest talent was sharing the gift of instrumental music through playing her violin in orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra. Throughout her life, she ministered to others through her encouraging cards and letters of remembrances.

She leaves the following to remember her impact on their lives:

Sister: Carol Wasson, Webster, NY

Cousin: Robert Schumacker of Salt Lake City, UT

Children: Dirk (Wanda) Smith of Muncie, Jeanette (Smith) Kovacs of Indianapolis, Julie (Donna Ogilvie) Smith of Largo, FL, Mark (Susan) Smith of Mooresville,

Grandchildren: Jenifer (Tony) Pierce of Muncie, Jami (Steven) Brenneman of Muncie, Andrew (Jillian) Kovacs of Fountain, CO, Caitlin (Alex) Maitre of Miami, FL, Brianne (James) Wisner of Coatesville, Austin (Lyssa) Smith of Indianapolis, Kayla (John) Neuenswander of Ballwin, MO, and Clayton (Britany) Smith of McCordsville,

Nephews: Steve Hughes of Wilton Manors, FL and James (Dalia) Oliver of Webster, NY

Nieces: Denise (George) McQuillen of Lakewood Ranch, FL and Catherine Oliver of Rochester, NY

18 Great-grandchildren plus numerous friends and neighbors in three states, and

Her beloved pet, Danny (Circus Dog).

She is preceded in death by her parents, her first and second husbands, and one nephew.

Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Monday, September 12, 2022 at the Elm Ridge Chapel in Muncie with a celebration service at 1:00 with Pastor Doug Lucy of the East 16th Street Church of God officiating. Burial will immediately follow.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Gideons International, Toccoa Symphony Orchestra at P.O. Box 893, Toccoa, Georgia, or to the Animal Rescue Fund at 1209 W Riggin Road, Muncie, Indiana 47303.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of I.U. Health, Kindred at Home, Lynd Place, and Southern Care for their services.