Evangeline Ruth Guldenschuh Smith

EVANGELINE RUTH SMITH, 86, was welcomed into the heavenly choir on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. She died peacefully at home with her loving family by her bed. Born Sept. 15, 1925, in Stamford, Conn., she was the second of five daughters born to Colonels Frank and Evangeline Gul denschuh of The Salvation Army. She was born again when she was nine years old during a Mother's Day service where her own mother was bringing the message. Fulfilling her dream of being a nurse, she graduated from Lenox Hill Hospital School of Nursing, New York City, N.Y. while serving in the U.S. Cadet Nurses Corps. She used her nursing skills as head nurse in a home for unwed mothers, on labor and delivery floors in several hospitals, as a volunteer in the first hospice in Indiana, and as a private duty nurse to many friends and family members. She married Gordon Smith on May 8, 1948; and together they had three children, Julie (Eldon) Njus of Mims, Fla., Juanita Smith of Fort Wayne and Tom (Sherie) Smith of Silverton, Ore. Ruth had a beautiful soprano voice and she sang in choirs and small groups in churches they attended. She was a multi-talented lady who made clothes for her girls and herself; swam laps at the Y.M.C.A.; was a gourmet cook (especially in home made soups); developed and presented a half hour program of soap bubble fun as "The Bubble Lady"; counseled and befriended younger women at church; had a special green thumb with gardening; and was a godly wife, mother and grandmother. She courageously struggled with Parkinson's disease for more than 23 years. Surviving are her husband, Gordon; three children; five granddaughters; seven great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Jane Regan, Daisy Hepburn and Emily Klenk. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Doris Fikkert. Service is 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at Shoaff Park Baptist Church, 6651 St. Joe Road, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road. Burial in Concordia Cemetery Gardens. Memorials to Shoaff Park Baptist Church or Parkview Hospice. www.hockemeyermillerfh.com